Booster 20 conducted a 33-engine static fire at Pad 2 on July 10, burning for a record 24 seconds as SpaceX advances toward Starship Flight 13.

What Happened After being rolled out to Pad 2 following one month inside Mega Bay 1, Booster 20 was placed on the launch mount during the afternoon of July 9. SpaceX spent the night hooking up quick disconnects and performing final checks before igniting all 33 Raptor engines at 9:55:55 CDT on July 10. The static fire lasted 24 seconds, surpassing the previous Superheavy record of 20 seconds set by Booster 7 in August 2022. Some engines used on Booster 20 were originally removed from Booster 19 due to damage and have since been repaired for reuse. The booster features its chines fully closed with bolted gap strips in flight configuration and a black paint scheme matching renders and Booster 19.

Why It Matters The record-duration test demonstrates SpaceX's confidence in its Block 3 hardware and software, having gone directly to a full 33-engine firing on only the second Block 3 booster. The static fire also marks a milestone for pad operations without the complications that previously required more extensive preflight testing. Flight 13 remains dependent on FAA action regarding the Flight 12 mishap investigation before launch clearance can be granted.

The Bottom Line Booster 20 is expected to rollback to Mega Bay 1 following the static fire, though this is not anticipated to significantly delay the mission. Ship 40 continues final preparations in Mega Bay 2 and will later roll out to join the booster at the launch site for stacking and preflight testing. Based on FAA closure notices and airspace restrictions, Flight 13 remains targeted between July 15 and July 21.