SpaceX has successfully completed a full-duration single-engine static fire test of Starship, marking a key checkpoint in the vehicle's path toward its next flight. The test, conducted on June 25 at Starbase's Massey's Test Site complex, involved Ship 40 — a new Starship prototype paired with Booster 20 for the upcoming Flight 13 campaign.
The Raptor engine burned for approximately 10 seconds in what observers believe may have been a warm propellant test — or a simulation of the orbital reignition sequence Starship needs to execute during re-entry and landing. Either way, a successful full-duration run clears a significant box on the pre-flight checklist. Flight 13 is currently targeting no earlier than later this summer, and this static fire suggests the Ship 40 hardware is progressing through qualification on schedule.
Single-engine tests like this one are less dramatic than the full-stack ignitions SpaceX has used to validate Booster hardware, but they serve a distinct purpose: isolating individual engine behavior under controlled conditions before committing to an integrated vehicle test. For a program that has moved from rapid iteration to increasingly methodical qualification, that discipline matters. Follow our SpaceX coverage as Flight 13 preparations continue to develop.
Sarah focuses on Tesla Energy, SpaceX missions, and the broader Musk AI portfolio. Former data analyst in clean energy. Based in San Francisco.
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