SpaceX finally revealed Starship Flight 10 Launch Window, But S37? Goodbye B12

SpaceX continues to push the boundaries of space exploration. With Starship Flight 10 now having a confirmed launch window, and critical developments unfolding for Ship 37 (S37) and Booster 12 (B12), August 2025 is shaping up to be a pivotal month for the future of spaceflight. But readiness remains uncertain, and while we look to the stars, we also honor key milestones on Earth—like the retirement of astronaut Butch Wilmore and forward progress in NASA’s Artemis Program.

Let’s break down everything you need to know about these exciting updates.

Starship Flight 10 Launch Window Finally Confirmed

After months of anticipation, SpaceX has officially defined the launch window for Starship Flight 10. A Notice to Mariners from the US Coast Guard has revealed that the launch window will run between August 16th and August 22nd, 2025.

What We Know About the Flight 10 Window

Location: Gulf of Mexico, near SpaceX’s Starbase in Texas
Timing: Midday launches are preferred for optimal visibility and observation
Duration: One-week window, slightly beyond Elon Musk’s original mid-August projection

While this is a positive step forward, it comes with caution: Ship 37 still isn’t fully flight-ready.

S37: The Key to Flight 10 Readiness

Engine Issues and Rework

Ship 37 (S37) has undergone intense testing over the last few weeks. Despite outward signs of success, internal data flagged a problem with one of its vacuum engines.

To address this:

A full engine swap was performed
SpaceX is now reverifying and recalibrating the system
A repeat static fire test is expected soon

Ground Systems Prepped

To support the upcoming retests:

The suborbital stand has been reinstalled
Umbilical pipes on the test mount were upgraded
SpaceX is preparing for another round of static fire testing, possibly as early as next week

If successful, S37 will return to the Mega Bay for final preparations, including:

Payload integration
Flight termination system installation
Detailed inspections

This process will take an additional 3–4 days, suggesting a realistic launch near late August.

Booster 16 (B16) – Ready and Waiting

Status of B16

Unlike S37, Booster 16 (B16) appears fully prepped and ready:

Moved to the Rocket Garden from the Mega Bay
Outfitted with the hot-staging assembly
Grid fin actuation system was tested in full view
Awaiting final integration with the Starship stack

Whether its Flight Termination System (FTS) has been installed is still unclear, but it could be completed on-site at the Rocket Garden.

B16’s Timeline

Given that most of its work is finished, B16 is unlikely to cause any delays. Its next move will likely be to the launchpad, once S37 is ready for stacking.

B12’s Retirement: Closing a Chapter in Starship History

As B16 moved out, something else moved in—Booster 12 (B12). Once a historic component of Starship’s development, B12 was observed heading back into the Mega Bay, likely signaling its retirement.

Why B12 Matters

B12 was the first booster used to attempt a “catch” landing with the tower arms during Flight 5. This marked:

A significant engineering milestone
The start of booster reusability efforts
A pioneering moment for SpaceX’s “Mechazilla” catch system

Why Retire It Now?

As a V1 booster, B12 is no longer compatible with the evolving Starship architecture. Retiring it:

Frees up space for newer boosters
Allows recovery of parts and materials
Reduces maintenance overhead

Though it’s a bittersweet decision, scrapping B12 is a cost-effective and efficiency-driven move. Some fans hope to see it preserved or displayed, honoring its trailblazing role.

B18, B19, and the Future of Starship Hardware

Enter B18 and the V3 Generation

With B18 nearly ready and Ship 39 waiting for integration, attention shifts to the V3 generation of boosters and ships.

Currently:

Mega Bay holds B12, B15, and B18
Observers speculate B19 (a V3 booster) may be stacked soon
Only two flights remain for V1 and V2 configurations

What’s Next?

As SpaceX plans a high-tempo flight schedule in 2026, scaling up production is critical. V3 hardware will:

Introduce upgraded engines, materials, and systems
Better support NASA’s HLS (Human Landing System) mission timelines
Pave the way for frequent lunar cargo and crew missions

Farewell, Astronaut Butch Wilmore: A Legacy of Leadership

Another key transition this month is the official retirement of NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore.

Wilmore’s Career Highlights

464 days in space
5 spacewalks, totaling 32+ hours
Commanded the 2024 Starliner Crew Flight Test
Flew aboard four different spacecraft

Wilmore’s final mission was a true test of leadership. Despite technical issues with the Boeing Starliner, he and his crewmate, Sunni Williams, remained professional and adaptable. Their safe return on Crew Dragon highlighted the critical importance of redundancy in human spaceflight.

NASA Honors a Legend

Steve Kerner of NASA’s Johnson Space Center said:

“Butch’s commitment to NASA’s mission and dedication to human space exploration is truly authentic. His legacy will continue to inspire future explorers.”

In his own words, Wilmore reflected:

“Even as I ventured beyond Earth’s limits, I remained attuned to the beauty and significance of the world below.”

Wilmore’s retirement marks not an end, but a passing of the torch—a reminder of the human side of space exploration.

Artemis 2 Crew Begins Orion Testing

With Wilmore stepping aside, the next generation of astronauts is stepping forward—beginning with the Artemis 2 crew.

Major Testing Milestone Reached

On July 31st, astronauts Wiseman, Glover, Koichi Wakata, and Jeremy Hansen completed:

A full-suit rehearsal inside the powered Orion capsule
Life support and emergency system testing
Communication checks under simulated mission conditions
Gear stowing, layout orientation, and sleep cycle simulations

This marks a critical pre-flight milestone, moving the mission closer to its 2026 launch goal.

What’s Next for Artemis 2?

Orion/SLS integration
Final rollout
Full launch rehearsals

Artemis 2 will be the first crewed mission to lunar orbit since Apollo 17, aiming to:

Prove systems for long-duration deep space missions
Pave the way for Artemis 3’s Moon landing
Inspire a new generation of space explorers

The Bigger Picture: Momentum Is Building

With Starship progress, Artemis milestones, and spaceflight veterans passing the torch, it’s clear that:

The momentum of human space exploration is accelerating.

Why This Month Matters

Flight 10 could restore faith after the S36 anomaly
S37 testing reflects SpaceX’s rigorous approach to safety
B12’s retirement shows a shift toward future-focused hardware
NASA astronauts are preparing for deep space travel again

Every mission, booster, and astronaut contributes to this story. Whether it’s catching boosters, testing Orion, or commanding the Starliner, these events echo a greater ambition: building a sustainable future in space.

Final Thoughts: When Will Starship Launch?

Based on:

S37’s remaining test schedule
B16’s readiness
Flight system integration timelines

Our best educated prediction for Starship Flight 10’s launch date is:

August 21, 2025

But of course, space is hard. Delays are normal, especially when you’re chasing breakthroughs.

FAQs

1. What is the confirmed launch window for Starship Flight 10?

The launch window for Starship Flight 10 is scheduled between August 16 and August 22, 2025, according to a Notice to Mariners issued by the U.S. Coast Guard.

2. Why is Ship 37 (S37) critical for Starship Flight 10?

S37 is the upper stage of the Starship vehicle for Flight 10. Its readiness—including engine performance and static fire testing—is essential for the mission to proceed.

3. What issue delayed S37’s progress?

Internal testing revealed a problem with one of S37’s vacuum engines, prompting a full engine swap and retesting, which delayed final launch preparations.

4. What is the status of Booster 16 (B16)?

B16 is flight-ready and currently waiting at the Rocket Garden, with most of its outfitting complete, including hot staging hardware and functional grid fins.

5. Has the Flight Termination System (FTS) been installed on B16?

It’s currently unclear whether the FTS has been installed. If not, installation can still occur at the Rocket Garden prior to launchpad transport.

6. Why was Booster 12 (B12) moved back to the Mega Bay?

B12 was likely moved back to the Mega Bay for decommissioning or scrapping, as it’s a V1 booster no longer aligned with current Starship hardware standards.

7. What made B12 historically significant?

B12 was used in Starship Flight 5, the first attempt by SpaceX to catch a booster using the launch tower arms—a key milestone in reusability.

8. Will B12 be preserved or displayed publicly?

As of now, SpaceX has not announced plans to preserve B12. Fans hope it might be preserved at Starbase or in a museum, given its historical value.

9. What is the next step for S37 before launch?

S37 must complete static fire testing, return to the Mega Bay for final integration, and be stacked atop B16 before it’s declared flight-ready.

10. What’s the realistic launch date for Starship Flight 10?

If all goes smoothly, the realistic earliest launch date for Starship Flight 10 is estimated around August 21, 2025.

11. What is V3 hardware and when will it debut?

V3 is the next-generation Starship booster design. B19 is expected to be the first V3 booster and may launch later in 2025 or early 2026.

12. Why is SpaceX retiring older boosters like B12?

Older V1 and V2 boosters no longer meet performance and compatibility needs. Retiring them frees up space, recovers materials, and streamlines operations.

13. Who is astronaut Butch Wilmore and why is he in the news?

Butch Wilmore is a NASA astronaut who recently retired after 25 years of service. He commanded the Starliner Crew Flight Test in 2024.

14. What were some of Butch Wilmore’s achievements?

He flew on four spacecraft, spent 464 days in space, and completed five spacewalks, totaling over 32 hours outside the ISS.

15. What is Artemis 2 and when will it launch?

Artemis 2 is NASA’s upcoming crewed mission to lunar orbit, set to launch as early as February 2026. It will be the first mission beyond low Earth orbit since Apollo 17.

16. What recent milestone did the Artemis 2 crew complete?

On July 31st, 2025, the Artemis 2 crew completed their first fully suited test inside the powered Orion capsule, simulating flight conditions and testing life support systems.

17. What is the long-term goal of the Artemis program?

The Artemis program aims to return humans to the Moon, establish a sustainable lunar presence, and prepare for future missions to Mars.

18. How does Starship support NASA’s Artemis missions?

SpaceX’s Starship will serve as the Human Landing System (HLS) for Artemis missions, transporting astronauts from lunar orbit to the Moon’s surface and back.