SpaceX's Solution on Starship Launch Pad Achieved! Flight 10 Launch THIS MONTH...

Starship roared back to life with ship 37 completing its long awaited single engine test. An exciting milestone that brings the next launch one step closer. Elsewhere, Crew 11 has been delayed slightly due to weather with teams closely monitoring conditions for the next launch window. Adding to the momentum, Blue Origin has confirmed the launch date for its upcoming crude New Shepard mission. We cover all this and more on today's episode of Great SpaceX. SpaceX has taken a major leap forward on the path to flight 10. Just 40 days after the ship 36 incident, ship 37 was rolled out to the new testing infrastructure at Starbase, marking a swift and confident recovery. The move echoes Elon Musk's well-known philosophy, speed is the best offense and defense. Following some minor delays, including a scheduling conflict and an earlier test abort, the highly anticipated static fire took place early on the 31st. The Raptor engine workstand was lowered, the chopsticks lift system was activated, and the SQD arm extended into position. In preparation, SpaceX also tested the detonation suppression system and cleared surrounding areas to establish a secure safety perimeter. By midday, ground systems across both the tank farm and orbital launch mount were fully powered. Visible venting confirmed active fuel loading and frost began forming around the tanks, clearly showing that propellant transfer was underway. Observers noted that the fuel configuration matched a low volume setup, approximately 1/3 capacity for the liquid oxygen tank and a small amount of methane, indicative of a planned single engine static fire. Meanwhile, SpaceX also performed a brief test of the vehicle's aerodynamic flaps. Shortly after fuel loading was confirmed, the static fire sequence began. First, the water deluch system was activated. A significant moment as this system is typically used only for high thrust engine tests. Its inclusion in a single engine test highlighted both the improved reliability of the updated infrastructure and SpaceX's commitment to simulating full launch conditions as accurately as possible. Then the seale raptor engine on ship 37 ignited. For about 6 to 7 seconds, the engine produced a stable, uninterrupted burn. Thrust appeared consistent throughout the test with no evidence of throttling or anomalies. Once the burn concluded, the shutdown process executed cleanly. SpaceX later confirmed on X Starship single engine static fire, demonstrating an inspace burn complete on pad 1 at Starbase. This successful test marked several key achievements. First, it validated the compatibility of ship 37 with the new ground systems and confirmed the readiness of the OOLM. Second, it proved that infrequently used infrastructure such as the water deluge and detonation suppression systems remains in optimal condition. Most importantly, it showed that critical systems damaged or stressed during the S36 event have been restored or reinforced to handle future tests. However, this milestone is only the beginning. A full sixeng engine static fire will still be required to certify ship 37 for flight. That test will be essential for evaluating the performance of all Raptors and for requalifying several support systems, including the high pressure COPVS that are vital for controlling tank pressures during ascent. These vessels were at the heart of the failure during S36's earlier static fire attempt. So when might we see the full static fire? SpaceX had active road closures only on the 30th and the 31st. And with the single engine test now complete and the July 30th window unused, no further closures have been officially posted. Interestingly, observers noted that the vehicle transport stand was recently moved from the hobby lot back to pad A. This could signal the end of test activity at the current pad, potentially to prepare for ship 37's return to the build site for further integration. Nevertheless, the start of August now looks like the most probable window for the six engine test. Industry analysts have suggested the next major test attempt could occur as soon as the 1st of August, although this remains unofficial. Regardless of the exact timing, SpaceX teams appear ready to act quickly, maintaining flexibility for rapid deployment once conditions allow. The successful single engine test also adds momentum to the flight 10 timeline. B16, the booster designated for the upcoming launch, recently had its hot staging ring moved back to Mega Bay after receiving upgrades at Staractory. Although the hardware is partially obscured from public view, its transfer back to the integration facility signals that final assembly steps may be underway. Altogether, the road to Flight 10 is beginning to take shape. But whether SpaceX can meet its target of launching in the first half of August remains to be seen. That timeline hinges on several key milestones. The full static fire test of Ship 37, the reinstallation of its engines and protective flaps, full pad refurbishment, and a successful set of integrated system checkouts and wet dress rehearsals. What do you think? Will SpaceX make the deadline. Let us know your thoughts in the comments with a yes or a no. And feel free to include your own launch date prediction? As for us, we are tentatively eyeing August 14th, the midpoint between the early and late windows as the most realistic option. If you're excited about the progress SpaceX is making, support our coverage by liking the video and subscribing to our channel. We'll continue tracking every test, rollout, and milestone as the countdown to flight 10 marches forward. So until then, stay tuned. Now, let's turn to the recent delay of the Crew 11 mission, a situation that caught many by surprise, especially given how smoothly things were progressing right up until the final minute. Originally, SpaceX and NASA planned to launch Crew 11 around midday on the 31st. Everything leading up to the countdown was textbook perfect. All systems were functioning properly. The crew suited up and boarded the Dragon capsule without issue, and the launchpad team sealed the hatch. Most notably, weather forecasts had indicated a 90% chance of favorable conditions. one of the highest weather ratings seen ahead of a launch in recent memory. With the crew comfortably strapped inside and propellant already being loaded into the Falcon 9, everything seemed to be on track. But then, just a minute before liftoff, the countdown suddenly halted. A moment later, the scrub was officially called. The reason, cloud cover. SpaceX later confirmed on X, standing down from today's Falcon 9 launch of Dragon due to cloud cover at the launch site. Viewers of the live broadcast could clearly see dark clouds rolling in overhead. Heavy rain followed shortly after, prompting the rare sight of the astronauts exiting Dragon while wearing raincoats, a situation not often seen during a scrub. NASA's Daryl Nail, who was anchoring the live broadcast, provided a thorough explanation. >> Unfortunately, the weather just not playing alongside with today's excitement of a launch for NASA SpaceX's Crew 11. We could literally see the clouds kind of going over top of our heads, getting close to the pad. And the standoff area is 10 mile radius around the pad for these dark clouds and cumulus clouds. And and that is a safety factor. We'll talk a little bit about that. That is because you don't want to send a rocket through a tall cloud like that. That could generate some energy from the rocket passing through it. that could generate some energy from the rocket passing through it. The concern Nil referenced is tied to a phenomenon known as triggered lightning. When a rocket passes through certain types of clouds, especially those tall enough to hold electric charge, it can artificially initiate a lightning strike. This happened during Apollo 12's launch in 1969, which is why the rule now exists. Safety comes first, even when disappointment is high. That said, this delay raised some eyebrows. If the weather had been assessed at 90% favorable just hours before, how did such a rapid change occur? While weather is inherently unpredictable, there are questions as to whether the forecasting tools and assessments used were broad and dynamic enough. With Florida's well-known volatility in afternoon weather, it is surprising that more margin was not built into the forecast window. Some observers have suggested there may have been early warning signs that were not acted upon quickly enough. Still, despite the sudden change in plans, SpaceX and NASA wasted no time rescheduling. The mission is now targeting Friday, August 1st, with a new launch time set for 11:43 a.m. Eastern. A backup opportunity has also been arranged for the following morning at 11:21 a.m. Eastern on the second. In the meantime, both agencies will be working to ensure that the crew, vehicle, and all supporting systems are in peak condition for the next attempt. Additional checks will be run, weather conditions will be reassessed, and operational timelines may be fine-tuned to give Crew 11 the best chance at a clean liftoff. This upcoming launch is significant for several reasons. It marks NASA and SpaceX's 11th official crude mission to the International Space Station. But beyond the routine milestones, Dragon Endeavor, the spacecraft assigned to this flight, is about to make history. This will be its sixth trip to orbit, making it the first Dragon capsule to exceed the previously certified reuse limit of five flights. In fact, SpaceX recently highlighted that Endeavor had already spent nearly 700 days in space across its five missions to date, a record that speaks volumes about the platform's durability and engineering. This feat continues to underscore the technological lead SpaceX holds in the realm of reusable human space flight. While competitors like Boeing's Starlininer and Sierra Space's Dreamchaser are still in the early stages of proving their reliability, Dragon has consistently demonstrated its ability to fly, land, and return again without issue. The Crew 11 mission only further solidifies its legacy. So, as we await the next attempt, let's keep our fingers crossed for smooth skies and a successful launch. Drop your best wishes for the astronauts in the comments section below and stay tuned as we continue to cover every step of this historic flight. And for our last entry on today's set of updates, Blue Origin is set to launch its next crude New Shepard mission and S34 on the 3rd of August, 7:30 a.m. Central from West Texas. A live stream will begin half an hour before liftoff. This marks New Shepard's 34th flight and 14th with a human crew. The six member team includes Justin Sun, cryptobillionaire and original $28 million auction winner for Blue Origin's first crude flight. Arinder Singh Bahal, Indianborn US real estate investor and adventurer. Gokan Erdom, Turkish businessman and photographer. Deborah Mortarell, Puerto Rican journalist and meteorologist. Lo Pritchard, British humanitarian who has run an orphanage in Nepal for 30 years. And James JD Russell, American entrepreneur and NS28 veteran. Their stories are featured on Blue Origin's site along with a mission patch designed with symbols tied to each passenger's life. The suborbital flight will last about 10 to 12 minutes, offering a brief experience of weightlessness and views of Earth from space. Since resuming service after a 2022 incident, New Shepard has completed 11 missions, eight of them crewed. NS-34 is its sixth flight this year with an impressive turnaround of just 21 days between NS-29 and 30. Blue Origin is clearly ramping up efforts to dominate the suborbital market, challenging Virgin Galactic. Still, real progress hinges on orbital capability. While New Glenn finally launched earlier this year, a follow-up mission date has yet to be announced. Until then, all eyes are on NS-34 as Blue Origin continues building momentum in the space tourism sector. Well, there you have it, folks. As we enter the new month of August, I just want to take this opportunity to wish you all a wonderful month filled with excitement, joy, and boundless luck in your endeavors. No pun intended. It's only been the first day, and yet, we've got so much incoming. I have no doubt that August will be quite a busy month for the space industry as we eagerly await what comes next. This has been Kevin with Great SpaceX. Don't forget to like the video and subscribe if you haven't already to stay uptod date with yours truly on the latest milestones in SpaceX's journey. Thank you so much for watching and always remember, curiosity, imagination, and inspiration will follow you so long as you keep looking up.