Starship Flight 9 Nails Liftoff–Grapples With Landing

Starship Flight 9 Nails Liftoff–Grapples With Landing

Starbase, Texas — SpaceX launched its Starship rocket on May 27, 2025, at 6:36 p.m. CDT from its Starbase facility in Texas for the ninth integrated flight test (IFT-9) of the vehicle. The mission, using Ship 35 and Booster 14-2, marked the first reflight of a Super Heavy booster but encountered significant challenges, including the loss of both stages, as SpaceX continues to refine the reusable launch system for lunar and Martian missions.

The objectives of IFT-9 included reusing Booster 14-2, previously flown on Flight 7, deploying eight Starlink mass simulators, testing an in-space Raptor engine relight, and achieving a controlled reentry and splashdown in the Indian Ocean. The mission also aimed to address issues from Flights 7 and 8, which ended in upper stage failures, and to conduct experiments on the booster under off-nominal conditions, such as a higher angle of attack during descent to reduce propellant use.

Third Time’s the Charm for Starship IFT-9

Third Time’s the Charm for Starship IFT-9

Ship 35 and Super Heavy Booster 14-2 being prepared for stacking in preparation for IFT-9. Image by Richard P Gallagher | FMN

Boca Chica, Texas – SpaceX is set to launch its ninth Starship integrated flight test (IFT-9) no earlier than May 27, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. CT from the Starbase facility in South Texas. This mission, featuring the Block 2 Starship (Ship 35) and a reused Super Heavy Booster (Booster 14-2), aims to address issues from the explosive failures of Flights 7 and 8 while testing new objectives for the reusable launch vehicle. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved license modifications for the flight on May 15, 2025, though the Flight 8 mishap investigation remains ongoing.

Elon Musk Confirms Starship Flight 9 Scheduled For Next Week

Elon Musk Confirms Starship Flight 9 Scheduled For Next Week

Starship fueling during IFT-1. Photo-Chris Leymarie, FMN

SpaceX CEO Elon Must posted on X yesterday that he plans to give a talk explaining the game plan for Starbase and the company’s plans to go to Mars next week ahead of Starship’s 9th flight. This confirms that Starship is slated to fly next week! Up to this point, SpaceX has not officially listed a Starship launch date, only that final checks are in progress.

SpaceX's Gigafactory

Mini-Starship or Bust? Experts Clash Over SpaceX’s Future

March 19, 2025 – SpaceX’s Starship program, critical to NASA’s lunar goals and Elon Musk’s Martian dreams, is at a crossroads, with experts offering starkly contrasting visions. While one leading engineer champions a smaller “Mini-Starship” to expedite human landings on the Moon and Mars, critics slam Starship for its repeated failures as evidence of a doomed design. 

Starship Florida Rendering

SpaceX Announces Major Expansion In Florida

SpaceX released this rendering of its Starship facility at Kennedy Space Center on March 3, 2025

SpaceX announced today that it is expanding its Starship operations in Florida and will be bringing Starship production and launch capabilities to the Space Coast.

“Really big things are coming to Florida!!!!” said SpaceX President and Chief Operating Officer Gwynne Shotwell on the X platform today. She’s not kidding.

SpaceX Scrubs Starship IFT-8

SpaceX Scrubs Starship IFT-8 Launch Attempt Amid Technical Challenges

Boca Chica, Texas – March 3, 2025 – SpaceX’s highly anticipated eighth Integrated Flight Test (IFT-8) of its Starship rocket was scrubbed on Monday afternoon, just seconds before its scheduled liftoff from the company’s Starbase facility in South Texas.

Hot Ring segment

FAA Clears Starship IFT-8: SpaceX Fine-Tunes Hot-Ring and More

Boca Chica, Texas – March 1, 2025 – SpaceX is gearing up for the eighth integrated flight test (IFT-8) of its ambitious Starship program, tentatively scheduled for Monday, March 3, 2025, from its Starbase facility in South Texas.