Watch LIVE: Elon Musk's SpaceX launches Starship Super Heavy on 9th test flight
SpaceX is all set to launch the ninth test flight of its Starship Super Heavy rocket, marking a significant step in the development of its next-generation heavy-lift launch system.The launch, known as Starship Flight 9, will see the behemoth Starship Super Heavy lift-off from SpaceX's Starbase facility near Boca Chica, Texas.WATCH STARSHIP SUPER HEAVY LAUNCH LIVE
This mission is notable as it will be the first time SpaceX attempts to reuse a Super Heavy booster. Booster 14, which previously flew on Flight 7 earlier this year, will be reused with 29 of its original 33 Raptor engines still operational.advertisementUnlike previous flights where the booster was caught by the launch tower's robotic arms, this time the booster will perform a splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico, allowing SpaceX to test new recovery techniques and gather data to improve future booster performance and reliability.The Starship upper stage, Ship 35, will attempt to reach engine cutoff and deploy eight Starlink simulator satellites into a suborbital trajectory. This is a critical test following the failures of Flights 7 and 8 earlier in 2025, where the booster successfully returned but the upper stage failed to complete its mission.SpaceX has made several technical adjustments, including changes to propellant loading times and engine configurations, to address previous issues and improve the chances of success.Flight 9 will also feature experimental maneuvers, such as intentionally disabling one of the center engines during the booster's landing burn to validate engine-out capability. The booster will return at a higher angle of attack to increase drag and reduce fuel consumption during landing, a refinement aimed at enhancing reusability and efficiency.Must Watch
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