SPACEX Starship completes the tenth test flight: release of mini-Satellites, rekindling in orbit and controlled splashdown. Key step towards Artemis III.
Starship, the giant of Spacex, hit a success of great value with the Tenth test flight on Wednesday 27 August 2025.
The giant from 123 meters, the most powerful rocket ever made, continues to write a new page towards Moon and Mars, after the doubts born from previous flights and the explosion during a static test last June.
Part at 18:30 local time of 26 August (01:30 in Italy of 27/8) from the base Starbase in Texas, Starship has raised himself among the applause of the teams, on live web. The booster Super Heavy, driven by 33 Raptor engines, successfully performed a realistic test scenario: an engine off (deliberately), a sweeter return profile and no “capture” on the fly from the tower.
Release of satellites e re -ignition in orbit
For the first time Starship simulated the distribution of satellites Starlink through an innovative dispenser: eight “fake” mini-satellites expelled one at a time, with on-board cameras to document the moment (Video below).
Shortly thereafter, the vehicle has rekindled one of the engines in orbit Raptor: a key demonstration for future orbital operations to Moon and Mars.
Come back in, Thermal shield e splashdown
The return phase put to the test Thermal shield with new hexagonal tiles to manage extreme temperatures. A part of the Flap has burned and there was a small explosion in the motor section, damage provided in the “stress” test plan to define the structural limits.
The splashdown in Gulf of Mexico for the booster and in theIndian Ocean for the upper stage (Video below) took place according to the program. The latter exploded after the sickge, as required by the flight termination system; a Boa documented the historical instant.
Because it could be a turning point
The result opens above all the way to the use of Starship as a lunar module for Artemis III (expected in 2027). With a payload (the ability to transport a useful load) of beyond 250 tons, the system aims at full reusability.
The orbital supply – necessary to leave the terrestrial orbit – and one Hyper-refutable thermal shield. But today Starship appears closer to the operational maturity.
In short, this tenth flight is finally a concrete step towards the ambitious dream of Elon Musk – Bring humanity on Moon and Mars.
