SpaceX is preparing to launch its massive Starship rocket from South Texas on August 24, following a string of mishaps that have raised the stakes for the company’s ambitious program. The Federal Aviation Administration has cleared the way after closing investigations into previous failures, including a midair breakup and a ground explosion.
The upcoming flight, slated for a 7:30 p.m. ET launch window, will test whether SpaceX can turn lessons learned into progress. The company plans a controlled splashdown for the Super Heavy booster in the Gulf of Mexico and for the upper stage, “Ship,” in the Indian Ocean.
NASA is watching closely, with $4 billion in contracts tied to Starship’s role in the Artemis III mission to land astronauts on the moon in 2027. To meet that deadline, SpaceX must still demonstrate critical milestones such as reusable heat shields, orbital propellant transfer, and lunar landing.
Related: The next Starship flight will test much more than hardware
Beyond NASA, Starship is key to SpaceX’s long-term plans, from launching next-generation Starlink satellites to realizing Elon Musk’s vision of Mars colonization. With $7.5 billion already invested in the program and billions more planned for new launch sites, SpaceX is under pressure to deliver.
The flight will mark Starship’s fourth test this year and will be livestreamed on X.
