SpaceX successfully completed a static fire of its Super Heavy booster on July 10, igniting all 33 Raptor 3 engines in a roughly 25-second test that clears the way for Starship's upcoming Flight 13 test.
What Happened
Booster 20 arrived at Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas, on July 9 and was lifted onto its support stand using the launch tower's "Mechazilla" chopstick arms. The following morning, SpaceX closed Boca Chica beach around 8 a.m. EDT and began fueling operations before igniting all 33 engines just before 11 a.m. EDT. This marks the second Version 3 (V3) booster to undergo static fire testing at Starbase. Flight 13 could launch as early as Wednesday, July 15, according to an FAA notice.
Why It Matters
Starship V3 represents a significant upgrade over its predecessor, featuring enhanced avionics, taller fuel tanks with increased volume, and propellant transfer equipment needed for missions including NASA's Artemis lunar program. The rocket is designed to deliver more than 100 tons to low Earth orbit and serve as one of two contracted lunar landers for returning astronauts to the moon. Flight 13 follows May's mixed results from Flight 12, which successfully splashed down Ship but encountered issues with Booster 19 during its descent and an engine anomaly on the upper stage that caused SpaceX to skip a planned in-space relight test.
The Bottom Line
SpaceX is working toward recovering both stages of Starship at Starbase using the Mechazilla arms, a goal it has achieved with Super Heavy boosters but not yet with the Ship upper stage. Ship 40 and Booster 20 will attempt similar mission objectives to Flight 12 as SpaceX continues testing the technologies needed before Starship reaches full operational status.