SpaceX Prepares for Two Key Missions at Starbase and KSC
SpaceX continues to push forward with a packed schedule as two major missions move into critical prelaunch phases. On one front, the company has rolled out its massive Starship vehicle to the launch site at Starbase, Texas, for preflight testing. On the other, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the Crew-11 Falcon 9 mission to the International Space Station has seen a slight delay in its static fire test, now targeted for Tuesday, July 29.
These developments come as SpaceX continues to coordinate multiple high-profile missions while maintaining tight timelines and rigorous safety protocols. The Starship rollout signals progress toward its next integrated flight test, while the Crew-11 mission marks the next crewed launch in partnership with NASA under the Commercial Crew Program.
Starship Moved to Pad for Preflight Operations
At Starbase, located near Boca Chica Beach in South Texas, SpaceX rolled its fully stacked Starship rocket to the launch pad over the weekend. The towering vehicle—composed of the Super Heavy booster and the Starship upper stage—was moved into place using SpaceX’s specialized transport systems. The rollout signals the beginning of another round of comprehensive prelaunch operations, including cryogenic proof testing, static fire runs, and final system verifications.
While no official launch date has been confirmed, the movement of Starship to the pad suggests SpaceX is preparing for its next major test flight, which may take place in the coming weeks. The upcoming flight will be closely watched as SpaceX aims to demonstrate improved performance and reusability features, critical steps in the development of the Starship system for future missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
Falcon 9 Static Fire Aborted, Rescheduled for July 29
Meanwhile, on Florida’s Space Coast, SpaceX is preparing for the launch of Crew-11, the eleventh operational flight of astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. The mission will use the company’s workhorse Falcon 9 rocket and a Crew Dragon spacecraft, both of which are currently positioned on Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center.
On Monday, a planned static fire test of the Falcon 9’s first stage was aborted automatically at T-57 seconds. The cause was identified as an issue with the cradle arm position indication on the transporter erector—an essential structure used to support and fuel the rocket on the pad. SpaceX confirmed that the cradle arm itself functioned correctly and that the abort was triggered as a precaution based on sensor data.
Engineering teams are now reviewing the telemetry to ensure all systems are operating nominally. A new target for the static fire test has been set for Tuesday, July 29. Static fire tests are standard in SpaceX’s prelaunch procedures, involving a brief ignition of the rocket’s nine Merlin engines to validate performance ahead of the actual launch.
Crew-11 Remains on Track for Launch This Week
Despite the static fire delay, both the Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon capsule remain healthy and secure on the pad. NASA and SpaceX have indicated that the Crew-11 mission remains on track for launch later this week, pending a successful static fire and final readiness reviews.
Crew-11 will carry four astronauts to the ISS for a long-duration stay aboard the orbiting laboratory. The mission will mark another milestone in NASA and SpaceX’s ongoing collaboration to provide routine human access to low Earth orbit, enhancing both scientific research and international cooperation in space.
A Busy Summer for SpaceX
The simultaneous preparation of Starship in Texas and Crew-11 in Florida highlights the rapid operational pace SpaceX is maintaining in 2025. With Starship representing the next generation of deep-space transportation and Crew-11 reinforcing SpaceX’s reliability in crewed orbital missions, the company continues to expand its influence across multiple facets of spaceflight.
As preflight activities intensify at both sites, all eyes remain on SpaceX in the days ahead—with test fires, launches, and critical data reviews expected to shape the timeline of upcoming missions
