SpaceX Completes Full Engine Test on Super Heavy Booster Ahead of Imminent Starship Launch

• July 11, 2026

SpaceX recently conducted a significant static fire test of its latest Super Heavy booster at the Starbase facility in Texas, marking a critical step toward its upcoming Starship flight. The booster, which is designed to propel Starship beyond Earth’s atmosphere, successfully ignited all 33 of its Raptor engines during the 25-second test.

This milestone is linked to preparations for the system’s 13th test flight, reinforcing SpaceX’s progress toward the launch phase. The complete ignition of all engines verifies that the vehicle’s propulsion setup is functioning as expected, a key factor in boosting confidence for the mission’s execution.

Imminent Launch Expected

The launch window is drawing near, with local airspace closures scheduled for July 14 and 15 in the vicinity of the Starbase site, indicating that flight operations could commence any day now. The successful engine test is a strong indicator that SpaceX is on track to attempt another orbital maneuver with the Starship system shortly.

Super Heavy V3 represents one of the most powerful rocket boosters ever built, emphasizing SpaceX’s ongoing commitment to advancing heavy-lift spaceflight capabilities. The booster’s ability to simultaneously fire all engines is critical for delivering the necessary thrust to place Starship on its intended trajectory.

The results of this test will inform the final preparations for the launch, providing valuable data to engineers monitoring engine performance and vehicle readiness. SpaceX’s iterative testing approach has been fundamental in refining the Starship program and moving closer to operational missions that could include satellite deployment, space station resupply, and eventually crewed missions to the Moon and Mars.

While specific details regarding the timing and agenda of the upcoming flight remain limited, the recent test underscores a pivotal moment in SpaceX’s rapid development cycle. Observers and space enthusiasts alike remain attentive as the countdown to another historic launch progresses.

SpaceX successfully fires all 33 engines of the Super Heavy V3 booster in a key test, signaling an imminent Starship launch from Texas.