SpaceX has announced the date of the next test flight of the Starship mega-rocket after revealing a design change for the spacecraft in early August.
The flight 10, as it’s called by SpaceX, will be a critical test for the 120-meter-long spacecraft, and its launch is scheduled to take place next Sunday (24).
This test is particularly important for the company, considering that the last Starship flight, held in May, resulted in the loss of the upper part of the spacecraft due to a series of failures during descent.
After that, the 10th SpaceX flight was postponed on June 18, when the upper stage unexpectedly exploded on the test pad before being mounted on the rocket’s booster.
In early August, SpaceX revealed a new design for the Starship. Now, the Super Heavy booster will feature three grid fins used to help it land instead of four.
The first grid fin for the next generation Super Heavy booster. The redesigned grid fins are 50% larger and higher strength, moving from four fins to three for vehicle control while enabling the booster to descend at higher angles of attack. pic.twitter.com/Nc6bavBHD8
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) August 13, 2025
According to SpaceX, this change will improve “vehicle control, allowing the booster to descend at higher angles of attack.” The fins are 50% larger and “stronger” than the previous versions, according to the company.
The Starship is considered the largest and most powerful launch vehicle ever developed in the world. SpaceX’s goal is to use it as a reusable transport system, meaning both the rocket and spacecraft can return to Earth for additional missions.
Photo and video: X @SpaceX. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
