Update: SpaceX delayed the mission for another 24 hours due to poor weather. For the latest information, read here.
SpaceX will make another attempt to launch its massive Starship spacecraft after the rocket company opted to scrub the next highly-anticipated test flight from South Texas.
If the world's largest rocket, standing about 400 feet tall, gets off the ground as scheduled on Monday, Aug. 25, it would represent just a 24-hour delay in a mission SpaceX refers to as flight 10. The commercial spaceflight company, which tech billionaire Elon Musk founded in 2002, has spent more than two years conducting uncrewed test flights for Starship ahead of astronaut missions to both the moon and Mars.
As the mission's name implies, flight 10 would be Starship's 10th-ever demonstration from SpaceX's Starbase headquarters. The mission, the fourth of 2025, would also be Starship's first flight since May 27 amid a year plagued by explosive demises for the vehicle.
And once again, SpaceX plans to provide a livestream offering spectators a front-row virtual seat to whatever happens to transpire.
Here's how to watch SpaceX's livestream of the Starship launch, as well as what to expect for the rescheduled flight 10.
Why was Starship scrubbed? SpaceX postpones flight 10 launch
Starship was scheduled to get off the ground Sunday, Aug. 24, at SpaceX's Starbase headquarters near the U.S.-Mexico border, which Texas voters in Cameron County approved in May to become a city.
Everything appeared to be on track for Starship to launch on time as SpaceX began fueling the massive spacecraft before the company announced that it had called off the mission nearly 15 minutes before liftoff.
The reason? What SpaceX attributed in a post on social media site X to "an issue with ground systems."
What date will Starship launch? SpaceX plans Starbase flight test
SpaceX's website indicates the company is working toward a Starship launch as early as 7:30 p.m. ET Monday, Aug. 25.
A Federal Aviation Administration operations plan advisory confirms that launch window and also indicates that backup opportunities remain available the next day if the mission is scrubbed again.
How to watch SpaceX livestream of Starship flight 10
SpaceX will host a livestream of the flight test that will begin about 30 minutes before liftoff.
The webcast is available on its website and on social media platform X. Coverage will also be available on SpaceX's new X TV app.
What is SpaceX planning for next Starship test flight?
SpaceX has a number of objectives on tap for the next Starship test, including the first attempt at returning the upper stage back to the launch site.
During three separate Starship launches since October, SpaceX has proven it's capable of returning and "catching" the massive spacecraft's rocket booster at the so-called "mechazilla" tower at the launch pad using a pair of mechanical arms nicknamed "chopsticks."
This time around, the rocket company plans to safely land the vehicle's upper stage – known as Starship, or Ship – where a crew of astronauts would one day ride to space.
SpaceX also has plans to deploy eight test Starlink satellites expected to burn up in Earth's atmosphere upon re-entry — an objective called off on three previous launches. SpaceX additionally plans to reignite its Raptor engines in space to attempt an orbital burn, a crucial maneuver to ground a vehicle.
As for the rocket booster, known as Super Heavy, it's intended to attempt several in-flight experiments before making a water landing off the Gulf of Mexico, which the U.S. government has renamed the Gulf of America.
What is Starship? How big is SpaceX megarocket?
SpaceX is developing Starship to be a fully reusable transportation system, meaning the rocket and vehicle can return to the ground for additional missions.
In the years ahead, Starship is set to serve a pivotal role in future U.S. spaceflight. Starship is the centerpiece of Musk's vision of sending the first humans to Mars, and is also critical in NASA's plans to return astronauts to the moon's surface.
The Starship, standing 403 feet tall when fully stacked, is regarded as the world’s largest and most powerful launch vehicle ever developed. When fully integrated, the launch system is composed of both a 232-foot Super Heavy rocket and the 171-foot upper stage Starship itself, the spacecraft where crew and cargo would ride.
Super Heavy alone is powered by 33 of SpaceX’s Raptor engines that give the initial burst of thrust at liftoff. The upper stage Starship section is powered by six Raptor engines that will ultimately travel in orbit.
Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: SpaceX will attempt to launch Starship on flight 10 after scrub. Here's when, how to watch
Reporting by Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY
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