Weird Problems Happened on Starship S37 Static Fire, 2nd Attempt TODAY! Ship 38 is Better

SpaceX’s Starship development program continues to thrill fans and space enthusiasts alike, and the recent developments at Starbase, Florida, and India give us plenty to talk about. From unexpected aborts to milestone cryogenic tests, and even historic goodbyes, the space community has been buzzing. Here’s your full breakdown of what’s happening right now.

Starship S37’s Static Fire Test Ends in Sudden Abort

A Highly Anticipated Test Turns Into Disappointment

All eyes were on Ship 37 (S37) on July 30th, as SpaceX geared up for what was supposed to be a significant static fire test—a test that would mark a rapid return to form following recent delays due to the Massie incident. But despite promising ground activity, the actual test never happened.

Why? Because of a range violation.

This kind of incident means a vehicle, aircraft, or ship entered the designated safety exclusion zone, forcing SpaceX to abort the test for safety reasons. The decision, although frustrating, reflects the immense caution necessary when working with cryogenic propellants and high-pressure systems.

Leading Up to the Test – All Signs Pointed to “Go”

On the morning of July 30, the following equipment and systems were observed in motion:

Chopsticks and Quick Disconnect Arm moved into test-ready positions
Road closures and coastal area lockdowns signaled launch operations
Igniter system was tested and passed
Detonation suppression systems were activated
Cryogenic fuel loading began, evidenced by frost on S37’s exterior

Despite this precise orchestration, just as the vehicle approached the critical moment of ignition, detanking began, and it became clear: no engines would fire that day.

What Happens Next for S37?

The good news? This was not a hardware or technical failure. Instead, the issue stemmed from external interference. That bodes well for a quick recovery.

A new test window opened on July 31st, giving SpaceX only 12 hours to reset and make a second attempt. With the chopsticks lowered and post-test inspections underway, all signs indicate the team is eager to try again—this time, hopefully without range violations.

Will it be a single-engine or full-engine test?
Speculation suggests a full static fire may be in the cards given the urgency to validate Ship 37 for Flight 10.

Ship 38 Advances with Successful Cryogenic Testing

S38 Passes a Major Milestone Without Issue

While Ship 37 faced a delay, its sibling Ship 38 (S38) achieved a major success at Starbase.

On July 30, S38 completed its cryogenic proof test—a procedure used to validate the tank structure under super-cold conditions. The test confirmed:

Fuel tanks hold and vent properly
Cryo systems are fully operational
Payload systems remain secure

The test lasted several hours, ending with detanking procedures that went off without a hitch. This marks a critical step in moving S38 closer to static fire testing and future flight-readiness.

What’s Next for Ship 38?

Closure notices indicate that S38 will return to Mega Bay 2 for:

Raptor engine installation
Flap integration
Heat shield application

Once these steps are completed, S38 will be ready for more aggressive testing. Its launch pad location remains undecided—Pad A or Massie—depending on availability and infrastructure upgrades.

B17 Also Awaits Testing—Flight Cadence Is Accelerating

Not to be forgotten, Booster 17 (B17) completed its own cryo test back in April. While it’s still waiting on engine installation, its presence at Starbase underscores a key SpaceX priority:

Accelerate launch cadence and system reliability.

With S37, S38, and B17 all nearing readiness, the momentum toward Flight 10 and beyond is building rapidly.

Florida’s LZ1 Nearing Retirement After Historic Service

Saying Goodbye to an Iconic Landing Pad

While big things are happening in Texas, Florida’s Landing Zone 1 (LZ1) is making headlines of its own. According to Bill Gerstenmaier, VP of Build and Flight Reliability at SpaceX, the upcoming Crew-11 mission may be the last to use this historic site.

LZ1, located at Cape Canaveral, is famous for:

Spectacular twin Falcon Heavy booster landings
Serving as a vital recovery site for Falcon 9 missions

Now, it’s likely to be decommissioned, along with its sibling LZ2, due to aging infrastructure and a shift in strategy.

What Does This Mean for Falcon 9 Recovery?

With LZ1 retiring, SpaceX will increase reliance on drone ships for booster landings. Already a common practice, particularly for East Coast missions, this method allows:

Flexibility in launch trajectories
Fewer local infrastructure concerns
Faster launch turnaround

However, with only two drone ships currently available, SpaceX may need to:

Add more drone ships
Build recovery systems at launch sites
Design new, faster transport and refurbishment protocols

A particularly ambitious idea? Landing boosters directly at the launch pad, eliminating long-distance transport. This would mirror Starship’s eventual tower-based catch system, though with traditional Falcon landing legs.

India and NASA Launch $1.5B Earth Observation Satellite

The NISAR Mission Lifts Off Successfully

In a proud moment for international collaboration, India’s ISRO and NASA launched the NISAR satellite on July 30 using the GSLV Mark II from the Satish Dhawan Space Center.

Launch time: 8:10 AM Eastern / 5:40 PM IST
Orbit: 745 km Sun-synchronous geocentric orbit
Launch vehicle: GSLV Mark II (52 meters tall)

The mission, worth $1.5 billion, is designed to deliver unmatched radar imaging capabilities from orbit.

What Is NISAR and What Will It Do?

NISAR stands for NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar, and it’s designed to:

Monitor land deformation, ice shifts, and natural hazards
Track urbanization, agriculture, and water use
Detect subtle changes as small as 1 centimeter
Operate in all weather, day or night

The satellite includes:

A 12-meter gold-plated radar mesh antenna
Dual radar instruments: one built by NASA, the other by ISRO
Designed life: 3 years for NASA radar, 5 years for ISRO radar

This satellite will scan nearly every part of Earth’s land and ice surface every 6 days, giving scientists crucial insights into how our planet is changing.

Final Thoughts – Momentum Builds Despite Setbacks

Despite a frustrating abort for Ship 37, the overall momentum in SpaceX’s Starship program is undeniable.

Ship 38 is progressing toward full testing
B17 is nearly ready for installation
New test windows are opening rapidly
India and NASA have launched a transformative radar satellite
Florida operations are evolving, with LZ1 possibly retiring soon

The space industry is changing faster than ever—and the next Starship launch may be just days away.

What You Can Do Next

If you’re as passionate about space as we are, here’s how you can stay involved:

💬 Drop a comment: Say “I’m still waiting” if you’re following Ship 37’s next attempt.
📺 Subscribe to Great SpaceX for real-time updates on Starship, Falcon, and global missions.
🔔 Turn on notifications so you don’t miss any breaking developments.

Stay Curious and Keep Looking Up

As always, thank you for supporting Great SpaceX and the incredible missions pushing humanity forward. Whether you’re watching a Starship prototype fire up, or witnessing global partnerships launch satellites into orbit, remember:

Curiosity, imagination, and inspiration will follow you—so long as you keep looking up.

Stay tuned for more updates, and here’s hoping for a successful static fire from S37 soon!

FAQs

1. What happened to the static fire test for Starship Ship 37?

The static fire test for Ship 37 was aborted due to a range violation, meaning an unauthorized object entered the safety zone. As a result, SpaceX had to cancel the test for safety reasons.

2. Was the abort of Ship 37’s test caused by a technical issue?

No, the abort was not due to a technical failure. The vehicle and support systems functioned normally. The issue was external and related to safety protocols.

3. When is the next test window for Ship 37?

The next test window was scheduled for July 31, just 12 hours after the initial aborted attempt on July 30.

4. What is the purpose of a static fire test?

A static fire test involves firing the rocket’s engines while the vehicle remains stationary. It is used to validate the performance of engines, fuel systems, and structural stability before flight.

5. What progress has Ship 38 made?

Ship 38 recently completed its cryogenic proof test, validating its tanks and fuel systems under extreme cold. It’s now preparing for engine installation and further testing.

6. What is a cryogenic proof test?

A cryogenic proof test assesses the structural integrity of a rocket’s fuel tanks by filling them with supercooled liquid nitrogen or oxygen, simulating flight conditions.

7. What comes next for Ship 38?

Ship 38 will undergo engine installation, flap integration, and heat shield upgrades before its own static fire test. It may return to Mega Bay 2 for final preparations.

8. Is Booster 17 (B17) still active?

Yes, B17 completed its cryo test in April and is awaiting engine installation before moving forward in the launch preparation process.

9. What is happening to SpaceX’s Landing Zone 1 (LZ1)?

Landing Zone 1 in Florida is likely to be retired after the Crew-11 mission, signaling a shift in SpaceX’s booster recovery strategy toward drone ship landings.

10. Will the retirement of LZ1 affect Falcon 9 launches?

No major impact is expected. SpaceX already uses drone ships for most Falcon 9 recoveries. However, demand on drone ships may increase as LZ1 retires.

11. Why is SpaceX retiring LZ1 and possibly LZ2?

The decision may be due to aging infrastructure or a shift in strategy to support more flexible and efficient booster recovery options, including at-sea landings.

12. What is the NISAR satellite?

NISAR is a joint Earth observation mission by NASA and ISRO. It uses synthetic aperture radar (SAR) to track changes on Earth’s surface with extreme precision.

13. When was NISAR launched and by what rocket?

NISAR was launched on July 30 aboard India’s GSLV Mark II rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Center.

14. What does NISAR do in space?

NISAR will monitor land deformation, ice movement, urban expansion, and natural hazards like earthquakes and landslides. It scans almost the entire planet every 6 days.

15. How long will NISAR operate?

The NASA radar instrument is designed to operate for 3 years, while the ISRO system has a projected lifespan of 5 years.

16. What role does Starship Flight 10 play in the program?

Flight 10 is expected to be a critical milestone for the Starship program, helping validate systems for orbital refueling, lunar landings, and eventually Mars missions.