SpaceX is pushing forward with plans to launch Starship Flight 10 in early August, according to CEO Elon Musk. His announcement comes just weeks after a major setback: the upper stage of the rocket meant for the mission exploded during a test in June, severely damaging SpaceX’s custom-built testing infrastructure.
The June explosion not only destroyed the rocket but also wrecked the upper-stage testing facilities, prompting SpaceX to adapt quickly. 
The company has since started rebuilding the original site and is modifying a transport stand to serve as a temporary test platform. This approach is expected to speed up development for Starship’s fourth flight of 2025.
Starship’s last test flight took place in May, following a rocky history. Both Flight 7 and Flight 8 ended in explosions shortly after stage separation. SpaceX attributed these failures to issues with propellant system vibrations and Raptor engine performance.
After Flight 8, SpaceX showed signs of gearing up for a faster turnaround with Flight 10. It successfully static-fired the first-stage booster and conducted an in-space ignition test on the second stage. However, that momentum stalled with the June explosion. Now, the company is relying on the main launch site and its water deluge system to support testing, as the original facilities remain offline.
To manage the intense force generated by the rocket’s engines, SpaceX is using the water deluge system to protect its equipment and the environment. The rocket will be mounted on the modified transport stand for test-firing before full stacking.
According to Musk, SpaceX aims to “launch again in ~3 weeks,” which would put Starship Flight 10 on track for early August. Before that, another upper stage must undergo static fire tests, and the new test pad must be finalized.
Local footage shows rapid construction progress at the launch site. Once the static fire is completed successfully, the test pad will be removed, making way for a full Starship stack. Flight 10 is expected to focus on improving reentry control, testing heat shield tiles, and evaluating hardware that could one day enable a tower catch landing.