SpaceX Greenlights Starship Ninth Test Flight After Setbacks

SpaceX is gearing up for the ninth test flight of its Starship rocket, scheduled for May 27, 2025, after overcoming two consecutive launch failures. This heavy-lift vehicle is central to SpaceX’s vision of human missions to Mars and plays a vital role in NASA’s Artemis program aiming to return humans to the Moon.

The previous two test flights ended prematurely due to critical engine failures. In the seventh flight, the upper stage exploded about eight and a half minutes after launch. The eighth flight saw six of nine Raptor engines fail during ascent, causing the vehicle to tumble and ultimately explode.

Following these setbacks, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) conducted a comprehensive safety review. The agency confirmed that SpaceX satisfactorily addressed the causes of the mishaps and authorized the Starship to return to flight, with conditions including expanded hazard zones to ensure airspace safety.

SpaceX identified overheating in the ignition device of one Super Heavy booster engine as a cause for its failure during the boostback burn and added insulation to fix it. The upper stage failure was traced to a hardware fault in a center engine causing unexpected propellant ignition. Extensive ground tests led to improvements such as tightened joints, a new nitrogen purge system, and enhanced propellant drainage.

Looking ahead, SpaceX plans to introduce the Raptor 3 engine iteration, promising greater reliability to prevent repeat failures. The FAA’s approval, while conditional, signals confidence in these technical fixes and SpaceX’s readiness to resume testing.

The upcoming flight will also mark the first reuse of a previously flown Super Heavy booster, prompting the FAA to expand the no-fly hazard zone to approximately 1,600 nautical miles, covering airspace from Texas through the Straits of Florida and including the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos. This is nearly double the hazard area of the prior flight, reflecting increased caution after past disruptions that affected nearly 240 commercial flights.

This ninth test flight represents a pivotal moment for SpaceX. Success could restore momentum to the Starship program and reinforce its role in future interplanetary missions. Conversely, another failure would deepen delays and raise questions about the path forward. Either way, the aerospace community and space enthusiasts worldwide will be watching closely.