{
  "id": 16622061,
  "title": "SpaceX ignites giant Super Heavy booster engines ahead of daring Starship launch (video)",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/26/spacex-ignites-giant-super-heavy-booster-engines-ahead-of-daring",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-10-26T16:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Space.com",
    "slug": "space-com",
    "url": "https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/spacex-ignites-giant-super-heavy-booster-engines-ahead-of-daring-starship-launch-video"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "SpaceX has been aiming to achieve greater heights with its upcoming Starship test flight, and the booster selected for this mission is undergoing final preparations. The Super Heavy booster, designated Booster 22, completed a static test fire on Sunday, October 25, activating all of its Raptor 3 engines for approximately 15 seconds. SpaceX announced the test on X, the first step in final checks for the first-stage vehicle. This vehicle will be coupled with the Flight 15 upper stage, known as Ship 42, prior to the launch. However, before the actual launch, the spacecraft itself will undergo specific tests. Ship 42 will also undergo a series of checks, including a static engine fire and final systems examinations. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has mentioned that the company aims to perform the first launch tower catch of the upper Starship stage on Flight 15, a significant advancement towards the company's objective of maximizing Starship's reusability. The company has demonstrated increasing confidence in catching both the Super Heavy and Ship stages this year, following three launches in 2026. The most recent flight (Flight 14) successfully reached orbit and deployed 26 Starlink V3 satellites, marking the first operational payloads delivered to orbit by Starship. However, Flight 14 faced challenges as an upper-stage Raptor engine shut down prematurely, leading to the termination of the planned ten-hour mission. Despite this setback, Ship 42 managed a controlled reentry and landed in the Pacific Ocean around three hours after takeoff. Flight 15 might carry another batch of Starlink V3 satellites, though SpaceX has not yet officially confirmed this payload. One of the primary reasons SpaceX is pushing for Starship regular service is to upgrade its global network with the fast V3 satellites. This development also impacts NASA's Artemis program, which has hired SpaceX to create a modified Ship upper stage capable of landing astronauts on the moon. NASA has recently adjusted the timeline of achievements SpaceX needs to reach with Starship before a lunar lander version can transport crewed missions. A crucial demonstration mission is scheduled for next summer on Artemis III, representing a significant milestone towards crewed lunar landings. The following Artemis mission will transport astronauts to Earth orbit aboard NASA's Orion spacecraft, which will dock with lunar lander vehicles for a two-week mission. Meanwhile, Starship is being developed for an uncrewed lunar landing demonstration before NASA's planned return of astronauts to the moon on Artemis IV, targeted for 2028. SpaceX is still competing with Blue Origin for the privilege of supplying the first crewed Artemis landing. Beyond Flight 15, SpaceX envisions additional milestones before the end of 2026, such as Starship's first launch from Florida and potentially the first re-flight of an upgraded V3 Super Heavy booster.",
  "summary": "SpaceX conducted a static-fire test with its Super Heavy boosters B22 on Sunday (Oct. 25), beginning a test campaign to ready the giant rocket for Starship's Flight Test 15.",
  "key_points": [
    "SpaceX tests Super Heavy booster with all Raptor 3 engines on October 25",
    "Starship Flight 15 upper stage, Ship 42, to be coupled with Super Heavy",
    "SpaceX aims for first launch tower catch of upper Starship stage on Flight 15"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}