SpaceX recently completed a Starship flight, achieving controlled landings in the ocean for both the Super Heavy booster and the Starship spacecraft. The company aims to eventually land both stages at Starbase, but the first attempt to recover the upper-stage Starship at the launch site is projected for future flights.
Early test flights, specifically flights 5, 7, and 8, demonstrated SpaceX’s ability to return the 71-meter-tall Super Heavy booster to the launchpad at Starbase, located in southern Texas. These operations involved the use of mechanical arms on the launch tower, which secured the vehicle just above the ground after its descent.
For subsequent flights, up to and including flight 10, SpaceX adopted a different approach for booster recovery. The company chose to guide the booster into the sea. This decision was influenced by the desire to test a landing procedure characterized as steeper and more fuel efficient. The intentional sea landings were intended to mitigate the potential risk of damage to the launch site in the event of landing anomalies or failures.
The developmental plan for the upper-stage Starship spacecraft includes its return to the launch site, similar to the procedure employed for the Super Heavy booster. Presently, Starship landings have been conducted in the ocean, with some flights encountering pre-landing failures. The ultimate goal is to achieve controlled landings of both stages at Starbase to facilitate rapid reusability.
Elon Musk, head of SpaceX, addressed speculation regarding the first attempt to land the upper-stage Starship at Starbase. He stated that this initial attempt will “probably” occur during flight 13, 14, or 15. The specific flight for this landing attempt is contingent upon the performance of the next iteration of the Starship vehicle, designated version 3.
The next scheduled flight will involve version 2 of the Starship, which is 123.1 meters tall. Version 3 will measure 124.4 meters and feature enhanced power capabilities. Reports suggest the next flight could occur in October.
What did Flight Test 10 achieve?
SpaceX successfully executed Starship Flight Test 10 on August 26, 2025, marking a critical success following a series of challenging test flights earlier in the year. The mission demonstrated controlled ocean landings for both the Super Heavy booster and the Starship spacecraft, validating the company’s refined landing procedures and flight control systems.
This achievement was a substantial progress in SpaceX’s iterative development approach, particularly after encountering difficulties with previous flight attempts.
Timeline implications for full SpaceX reusability
While Musk had initially expressed optimism about attempting a Starship catch operation in 2025, current projections suggest this milestone will likely occur in 2026. This adjustment reflects the realistic timeline required for Version 3 development, testing, and operational readiness. The revised schedule maintains the possibility of achieving the first controlled Starship landing at Starbase during the first half of 2026, assuming successful execution of the intervening flight tests.
The continued progress in both booster and spacecraft recovery operations reinforces SpaceX’s methodical approach to achieving full reusability. Each successful ocean landing provides critical data for the eventual transition to land-based recovery operations, while the company’s willingness to adjust timelines based on technical readiness demonstrates a commitment to operational safety and mission success over schedule adherence.
