SpaceX prepares itself for a tenth Starship flight test

SpaceX is gearing up for another Starship launch, blaming a previous failure on structural issues and fuel pressurization problems.

The launch is currently scheduled for Sunday, August 24, with the launch window opening at 1830 CT (2330 UTC). The mission will be similar to previous ones, including a payload deployment of simulated Starlink satellites and a relight on one of the upper stage's Raptor engines while in space.

There are no plans to try to catch the Super Heavy Booster on this mission. Instead, SpaceX plans to drop the booster into the Gulf of Mexico after intentionally disabling one of the three center engines used for the final phase of landing. The plan is to gather data on the ability of a backup engine to complete the landing burn. The booster will then hover over the ocean using only two engines before eventually dropping into the water.

As with ...