Starship Flight Test 10 Recap

Starship flight test 10 featured booster B17 version 2 and ship 37 version 2. Key observations:

One booster engine failed and did not restart. @StarshipCobson noted a recurring issue at the same engine position from flights 4 and 8. Source
A grid fin locked up during booster reentry.
An explosion occurred in the skirt section, possibly a vent line, though it appeared unusually energetic. Past flights had oxygen vents in these locations.
Starlink simulator deployment succeeded, though one dummy contacted the door upon release. Previous attempts faced door issues.
Zero-gravity engine relight worked, a key step for orbital capability. Current flights use a suborbital trajectory for safety.
Rear flaps were damaged by heat and disintegrated, possibly during launch or reentry. Forward fins performed well due to leeward repositioning, enabling precise landing near the camera buoy.
Tempering colors appeared on the leeward side, where heat tiles were previously located.
Flap surface material buckled.
Higher booster reentry angle saved fuel and worked effectively.
Only one V2 booster and Starship remain before transitioning to V3. V3 cannot use Pad 1, and Pad 2 is under construction, potentially delaying the first catch attempt.

Test	Date	Days Elapsed	Version Booster	Version Ship
IFT-1	20.04.23	-	V1 - B7	V1 - S24
IFT-2	18.11.23	212	V1 - B9	V1 - S25
IFT-3	14.03.24	117	V1 - B10	V1 - S28
IFT-4	06.06.24	84	V1 - B11	V1 - S29
IFT-5	13.10.24	129	V1 - B12	V1 - S30
IFT-6	19.11.24	37	V1 - B13	V1 - S31
IFT-7	16.01.25	58	V2 - B14(1)	V2 - S33
IFT-8	06.03.25	49	V2 - B15	V2 - S34
IFT-9	27.03.25	82	V2 - B14(2)	V2 - S35
IFT-10	24.08.25	150	V2 - B16	V2 - S37

Booster Speed

Speed [km_h] x Seconds [s] (3).png

Booster Altitude

Altitude [km] x Seconds [s] (3).png

Booster V1 + Ship V1 (IFT-3 to IFT-6):
- Average Speed @ MECO: 5,455 km/h
- Average Altitude @ MECO: 66 km
Booster V2 + Ship V2 (IFT-7 to IFT-10):
- Average Speed @ MECO: 4,539 km/h
- Average Altitude @ MECO: 60.8 km

MECO at 160 seconds from IFT-5 to IFT-10. Ship V2’s heavier design reduces speed and altitude.

Launch: ✅
Stage separation: ✅
Orbit: Almost (reached orbital velocity but slightly below orbit for controlled reentry)
Bellyflop: ✅
Safe booster landing: ✅
Booster reuse: ✅
Reentry without damage: ❌ (flap damage, heat tiles fell off)
Safe ship landing: ❌
Ship reuse: ❌
In-orbit refueling: ❌
Leaving low Earth orbit (LEO): ❌
Human life support: ❌
Moon/Mars return & landing: ❌
Lift off from Moon/Mars: ❌
Sources: SpaceX IFT-9 Mission Overview, Wikipedia Starship Flight Test 9

Booster 1067 launched for the 30th time, deploying 28 Starlink satellites. This marks the 523rd Falcon 9 launch overall.

Tim Dodd was lucky enough to get three guided tours around Starbase by Elon Musk:

Tour 2024:

Tour 2022:

Tour 2021:

Further information

Starship OFT flight plan