SpaceX Targets Friday For Starship Flight 8 Following Flight 7 Anomaly Investigation

SpaceX has completed its investigation into the loss of Starship during its seventh test flight and announced a range of hardware and operational upgrades to improve reliability and performance. The company is now preparing for its eighth test flight, which could launch as early as Friday, February 28, pending regulatory approval.

Starship Flight 7

On January 16, 2025, Starship lifted off from SpaceX’s Starbase in Texas at 4:37 p.m. CT, embarking on one of the most ambitious flight tests to date. The mission aimed to demonstrate two core capabilities: the safe return and catch of the Super Heavy booster, and the deployment of an upgraded upper stage design.

All 33 Raptor engines on the booster fired flawlessly during the initial ascent, and following a carefully orchestrated engine shutdown sequence—leaving only the three center engines operational—the Starship’s six Raptor engines ignited in a hot-staging maneuver to continue its journey to space.

Shortly after stage separation, the booster executed a critical boostback burn, with 12 of the 13 commanded Raptor engines igniting successfully. A single engine on the middle ring aborted safely due to a low-power condition in its igniter system—a known issue slated for resolution via an upcoming upgrade. The booster then successfully re-ignited all engines during its landing burn, allowing it to perform a precision landing and be caught by tower arms at Starbase, marking the second-ever successful catch in SpaceX’s evolving flight test program.

Despite the flawless performance of the booster, the upper stage encountered an unforeseen challenge. Approximately two minutes into its burn, a flash erupted from the aft “attic” section—a critical unpressurized area between the liquid oxygen tank and the aft heatshield. Sensors recorded a sudden pressure increase, signaling the onset of a propellant leak. Another flash followed minutes later, accompanied by sustained fires that eventually forced all but one of Starship’s Raptor engines into controlled shutdown.

Communication with the vehicle was lost just over eight minutes and 20 seconds into flight, and breakup of the craft was observed during its descent three minutes later.

Post-flight telemetry and analysis pointed to an excessive harmonic response during ascent—several times stronger than anticipated during ground tests. This amplified vibration induced stress on the propulsion hardware, leading to compromised fuel feedlines and inadequate venting in the attic area, which in turn resulted in sustained fires.

Coordinated Response and Robust Safety Measures

In the wake of the anomaly, SpaceX’s pre-coordinated response plan was activated immediately. Collaborating with the FAA and air traffic control authorities, the company ensured that all flight debris landed within a designated Debris Response Area, thereby minimizing any potential hazards to public safety, marine life, or local water quality.

SpaceX also promptly engaged with the governments of Turks and Caicos and the United Kingdom to manage recovery and cleanup operations.

Critically, the incident underscored the effectiveness of the Autonomous Flight Safety System. Despite the loss of communication, the system’s autonomous triggers ensured that the flight termination occurred within expected safety parameters, reinforcing confidence in the safety protocols established for rapid reuse missions.

Investigation Findings and Path Forward

SpaceX led a detailed investigation into the incident, and its findings have already influenced immediate corrective actions.

As part of the review, an extended duration static fire was conducted on the subsequent, eighth flight test. This 60-second firing experiment tested multiple engine thrust levels and hardware configurations within the Raptor vacuum engine feedlines.

The insights gained have spurred several key modifications, including:

• Hardware Upgrades: Redesigns to the fuel feedlines for the vacuum engines and adjustments to propellant temperature settings have been implemented. A new operating thrust target is now set for upcoming flights.

• Enhanced Venting Solutions: To mitigate flammability risks in the attic, SpaceX is installing additional vents and a novel purge system using gaseous nitrogen.

• Next-Generation Engines: Future iterations of Starship will integrate the Raptor 3 engine, which promises a reduced attic volume and fewer vulnerable joints, thereby minimizing leakage risks.

The investigation has not only addressed the specific issues encountered during Flight 7 but has also paved the way for enhanced safety and reliability across all subsequent missions.

SpaceX is now in discussions with the FAA to either formally close the investigation or secure a flight safety determination that will clear the path for the next flight of Starship.

Ambitious Objectives for Flight Test 8

The upcoming flight test is set to push the boundaries further by targeting objectives that were not achieved in the previous mission. Key elements of this test include:

• Payload Deployment and Reentry Experiments: For the first time, Starship will deploy four Starlink simulators—satellite mock-ups designed to mimic next-generation Starlink deployments—along a suborbital trajectory. The flight will also incorporate experiments to test Starship’s reentry profile by removing a significant number of protective tiles and evaluating alternative metallic tile options, including one with active cooling.

• Return-to-Launch-Site Initiatives: A series of tests will focus on enhancing the upper stage’s ability to return to the launch site. These include trials with non-structural catch fittings, a modified tile line designed to address hot spots observed in earlier flights, and the deployment of several radar sensors on the launch and catch tower’s “chopsticks” to fine-tune distance measurements.

• Booster Catch and Upgraded Avionics: The Super Heavy booster, outfitted with a more powerful flight computer, improved power and network distribution, and integrated smart batteries, will once again attempt a full flight cycle that includes launch, boostback, and catch. Strict criteria will be met to ensure a safe recovery—if conditions aren’t optimal, the booster will execute a soft splashdown in the Gulf of America.

Live Coverage and Dynamic Schedule

The launch window is scheduled to open at 5:30 p.m. CT, though as with all developmental testing, schedules remain fluid. Interested observers are encouraged to check for updates regularly on SpaceX’s social media channels.

We (The Launch Pad Network) will provide full countdown to launch coverage starting hours prior to liftoff, and those interested in watching the booster and ship arrive at the launch site and be stacked in preparation for launch can check out our 24/7 Starbase cameras! https://www.youtube.com/@TheLaunchPad