SpaceX rolled out Ship 40 for a static fire test at its Starbase facility in Texas, but the vehicle fired only a single Raptor engine during the brief test. The truncated burn contrasts with previous full-engine count tests and suggests possible troubleshooting or a focused check before the next integrated Starship flight.
Technical details remain sparse, but the single-engine ignition could indicate a valve check or propellant load verification. Ship 40 is expected to fly with Super Heavy Booster 20. Meanwhile, work continues on Orbital Launch Mount Pad 2, where new structural elements were spotted being installed, likely to support increased launch cadence.
The timeline for Ship 40's flight debut is unclear. SpaceX has not announced a target date for the next Starship test, which would follow the fourth integrated launch that lifted off from Pad 1 earlier this year. Booster 20 has undergone static fires previously and remains at the launch site.
Each Starship test brings SpaceX closer to fully reusable orbital capability. The program is critical to NASA's Artemis plan for lunar landings and SpaceX's long-term goal of Mars colonization. Persistent delays and iterative testing have slowed progress, but hardware is now stacking for multiple future flights.
Cost details are absent from available sources, but the broader Starship development program is valued in the billions. Pad 2 is expected to double launch capacity, enabling more frequent missions that could reduce per-flight costs over time.