Confusion at Starbase: Ship 37 Static Fire Retry, Catch Canceled for Flight 10

SpaceX fans and spaceflight watchers have had a rollercoaster week. While Ship 37‘s ground testing appeared to conclude successfully, unexpected changes at Pad 1 have sparked speculation: Is another static fire test coming? Could Flight 10 be delayed? Meanwhile, moonquake data raises new questions about future lunar bases, while SpaceX’s expansion in Florida and NASA’s Europa Clipper mission offer optimism.

Let’s break it all down.

Ship 37: Final Static Fire or Just the Beginning?

Ground Testing Complete—Or Is It?

Earlier this month, Ship 37 (S37) completed a full-duration static fire test involving six Raptor engines. This marked a major milestone ahead of the much-anticipated Flight 10, expected mid-August.

Shortly after the test, S37 was moved back to Mega Bay 2, a typical sign that testing is over and preparations for launch are underway.

However, behind the scenes, something unusual happened.

Test Infrastructure Dismantled, Then… Moved Again?

The orbital launch mount (OLM) test system, used during the S37 static fires, was dismantled. The test stand was sent to the Sanchez site for storage, usually indicating testing is complete.

Yet, observers have noticed a reversal of this process. The test stand has been moved back, some vacuum engines have been transferred to Mega Bay 2, and rumors are circulating about another possible test for S37.

Missing Clamp Arms: A Technical Red Flag

One of the most visible and puzzling developments is the removal of 15 out of 20 hold-down clamps from the orbital mount at Pad 1. These clamp arms are critical for securing the Super Heavy booster during testing and launch operations.

Without them, Booster 16 (B16)—which was scheduled to take S37 to orbit—cannot be mounted or launched. So why would SpaceX remove them now?

Why Would SpaceX Retest Ship 37?

Theory 1: Internal Test Results Were Inconclusive

Though S37’s six-engine static fire test looked successful to the eye, the duration was unusually short—around 10 seconds, compared to the 60-second full-duration burns performed on other prototypes recently.

This raises the possibility that SpaceX was only testing specific performance parameters. If the internal benchmarks weren’t met, a longer or more robust test may be required before the ship is cleared for flight.

But there’s a catch…

To retest S37, SpaceX would need to:

Reinstall the OLM test stand.
Move S37 back from Mega Bay 2.
Reintegrate and prep for another static fire.

This could cause a 1–2 week delay, possibly pushing Flight 10 into late August or September.

Theory 2: Routine Maintenance on Clamp Arms

A more grounded explanation? Clamp maintenance.

If the clamps showed signs of wear, tear, or mechanical failure, SpaceX might have removed them for repairs or replacements. Once the work is done, the clamps could be reinstalled without changing the broader schedule.

This aligns with what we’re seeing:

B16 is ready for rollout.
No major reinstallation of test equipment has been completed yet.
There are no official announcements of delay—yet.

The Catch Cancelation: Another Ominous Signal?

Another potential signal of trouble: SpaceX has canceled the “catch” maneuver for Flight 10.

The massive “chopsticks”—used to catch the returning booster—will reportedly not be used this time. Instead, B16 may perform a soft splashdown, indicating less confidence in either the booster’s performance or the timing of recovery logistics.

This isn’t a failure—several earlier flights skipped catch attempts—but it does represent a more conservative posture from SpaceX.

Florida Expansion: Starship on the East Coast

While confusion swirls in Texas, clear progress is happening in Florida.

LC-39A: A Historic Pad Gets a Starship Makeover

At NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A)—once used for Saturn V and Shuttle launches—is being rebuilt for Starship operations. A launch tower is complete, and OLM renovations are ongoing.

The FAA’s environmental assessment now allows for up to 44 Starship launches per year from LC-39A. The process includes:

Detailed infrastructure designations.
Public comment period until September 29.
Final FAA approval expected by late 2025.

SLC-37: A Second Starship Site

SpaceX is also eyeing Space Launch Complex 37 (SLC-37) as a second Starship site on the East Coast. With Florida expansion ramping up, SpaceX may soon reduce dependency on Starbase, enabling more frequent and diversified launches.

Moon Base Threatened by Moonquakes?

New Study Reveals Lunar Seismic Risk

As SpaceX prepares to use Starship HLS for Artemis missions, new science has revealed a hidden danger: moonquakes.

A study in Science Advances analyzed the Apollo 17 site and discovered:

Repeated quakes from ancient fault lines.
Some faults may still be active.
Estimated 1 in 5,500 chance of a damaging moonquake within a 10-year stay.

Implications for Lunar Infrastructure

Unlike the Apollo landers, Starship HLS is heavy—potentially more vulnerable to seismic events.

Key findings:

Avoid building near scarps or active faults.
Establish a seismic monitoring network before long-term habitation.
Conduct detailed geological surveys ahead of construction.

NASA and SpaceX must now rethink site selection and engineering designs for the moon base.

Europa Clipper: Testing for Life Beyond Earth

Amid these lunar concerns, there’s progress on another front: the Europa Clipper mission.

Radar System Test a Success

NASA recently tested REASON—an ice-penetrating radar that will search for subsurface oceans on Jupiter’s moon Europa.

During a Mars flyby, REASON:

Collected 60 GB of data in 40 minutes.
Proved its ability to detect subsurface water.
Showed high-resolution imaging of Martian volcanic plains.

Mission Timeline and Goals

Launch Date: Already launched and en route.
Arrival at Jupiter: 2030.
Flybys of Europa: 40+.
Objective: Detect signs of subsurface oceans—and potentially life.

With successful testing behind it, Europa Clipper is on track, and space exploration continues pushing outward.

Crew 11, Flight 10, and the Bigger Picture

Crew 11 Launch Delayed by Weather

Meanwhile, NASA’s Crew 11 faced its own delays. Despite a favorable 90% forecast, thick clouds at LC-39A forced a last-minute scrub on July 31st. The crew was ready, suited up, but had to stand down.

They launched shortly after with no issues—highlighting the unpredictable nature of spaceflight.

Ship 38 Enters the Picture

While S37 may be stuck in limbo, Ship 38 is being prepped at Mega Bay 2. Its flaps are installed, and engine installation is expected soon.

This means:

Flight 11 could happen just weeks after Flight 10.
The production cadence at Starbase continues, despite disruptions.

Conclusion: A Complex, Evolving Launch Timeline

So, what’s next for Ship 37 and Flight 10?

If another static fire test is required, expect delays of 1–2 weeks.
If the clamp maintenance theory proves true, the launch window could remain intact.
Either way, the canceled catch maneuver points to a cautious approach from SpaceX.

Meanwhile, we’re seeing:

Major milestones at LC-39A for Florida operations.
Europa Clipper proving its tech for future deep-space science.
A growing awareness of moonquake risk that could change how and where we build lunar bases.

FAQs

1. What is Ship 37, and why is it important?

Ship 37 (S37) is one of SpaceX’s latest Starship upper-stage prototypes. It is slated to fly on Flight 10, a critical test mission designed to validate new systems and procedures as part of SpaceX’s long-term goals for orbital launches, lunar landings, and Mars missions.

2. Has Ship 37 completed its static fire test?

Yes, Ship 37 has completed a six-engine static fire test. However, the short 10-second duration has sparked speculation that another test may be required before the vehicle is cleared for launch.

3. Why were hold-down clamps removed from the orbital mount at Pad 1?

15 of the 20 hold-down clamps were removed from Pad 1, raising questions. This could be due to either hardware maintenance or preparations for additional Ship 37 testing, which would require pad modifications.

4. Will Flight 10 be delayed?

Flight 10 may face delays if another static fire test is scheduled. If not, and the clamp removal was routine maintenance, the flight could still occur within the August 2025 launch window.

5. What is the significance of the canceled catch maneuver for Flight 10?

SpaceX has canceled the booster “catch” attempt for Flight 10, meaning the Super Heavy booster will likely perform a soft water landing. This suggests a more cautious mission profile or focus on validating other systems.

6. Is Ship 37 going back to the launch mount for more testing?

It’s unclear. While S37 was moved to Mega Bay 2, the test stand was relocated back to the launch site, and vacuum engines have been installed. This could indicate preparations for a second test.

7. What is the purpose of static fire testing?

Static fire tests validate engine performance, plumbing, software systems, and integration with the launch pad. These tests help ensure flight readiness and reduce risk of in-flight failure.

8. What’s happening with Starship at Kennedy Space Center (LC-39A)?

SpaceX is expanding Starship operations to Launch Complex 39A in Florida. A new launch tower has been built, and the FAA has released a draft environmental assessment supporting up to 44 launches per year.

9. What is the difference between LC-39A and SLC-37?

LC-39A is a historic NASA pad repurposed for Starship launches, while SLC-37 is a separate site SpaceX is developing for additional Starship operations on the East Coast.

10. What are moonquakes, and why are they a concern for lunar bases?

Moonquakes are seismic events on the Moon caused by fault line activity. A recent study shows these could pose structural risks to lunar habitats, especially for large infrastructure like Starship HLS.

11. What is Starship HLS, and how does it relate to the Moon?

Starship HLS (Human Landing System) is the variant of Starship selected by NASA for Artemis lunar missions. It will ferry astronauts from lunar orbit to the surface and back, playing a central role in Moon exploration.

12. How often do moonquakes happen?

While daily risk is low (1 in 20 million), the cumulative risk over a 10-year Moon stay could rise to 1 in 5,500, especially near active fault zones like those identified in the Taurus-Littrow Valley.

13. What is Europa Clipper, and what did it recently accomplish?

NASA’s Europa Clipper is a deep space probe that will explore Jupiter’s moon Europa. It recently completed a successful test of its ice-penetrating radar, confirming its ability to detect subsurface water.

14. When will Europa Clipper reach Jupiter?

Europa Clipper is scheduled to arrive at Jupiter in 2030, where it will conduct over 40 flybys of Europa to search for signs of habitability and subsurface oceans.

15. What’s next for Starbase and future Starship flights?

While Flight 10 is pending, Ship 38 is already in preparation for Flight 11, showcasing SpaceX’s rapid iteration process. Ongoing infrastructure upgrades and Florida expansion ensure that Starship operations will continue to scale in both Texas and Florida.