FTS Installed! SpaceX Pushing out Milestones Towards Starship Flight 10! Here's What REMAIN...

Starship is in the final moves toward a flight that may just be days away. Most of the work is done, but SpaceX seems to still have some critical work to do in the remaining days. All are aiming for a successful flight that will decide so much of the space race. So how are their preparations for Flight 10 progressing? What will SpaceX do next? Why is the success of Flight 10 so important? Let's break down the top stories in this episode of Great SpaceX. SpaceX has just reached another important milestone in preparation for the highly anticipated Flight 10. The company recently carried out the final spin-prime test with Ship 37, a key step before moving forward to launch preparations. The test was ultimately successful on the second attempt, after SpaceX quickly identified and resolved the issue that had caused the first attempt to be cut short. With this achievement, S37 has now been cleared for the next phase of its journey toward flight readiness. Following the success, SpaceX began a series of logistical movements around Starbase. Once the transport stand arrived and the chopsticks were lowered, Ship 37 was lifted off the test stand and carefully placed on the orbital launch mount. Shortly after, according to the road closure schedule, the vehicle was transported back to Megabay 2. Although much of the activity since then has been hidden behind the large bay doors, the next steps are not difficult to anticipate. The immediate focus will be on a thorough series of inspections. Every system onboard Ship 37 will undergo detailed checks to ensure complete readiness. One of the most critical systems to examine is the engine. Even though the engine was not ignited during the most recent movement, it was still subjected to the spin-prime test, which means it experienced the flow of cryogenic fuel through its systems. This exposure requires engineers to carefully verify that all components remain intact and reliable. For the upcoming flight, the engine's performance will be vital. It must successfully power the ascent phase, operate flawlessly in space, and then allow the spacecraft to navigate and return safely for controlled landing. The heat shield is another major system under review. Observers have pointed out that the shield does not yet appear to be in its final configuration, which may mean that engineers will add or remove tiles in certain locations. This system will play a central role in Flight 10 as it must withstand the intense heat and stress of atmospheric re-entry. SpaceX is also expected to test different heat shield configurations, including areas with missing tiles or experimental metallic tiles, which will provide valuable data for future flights. Inside Ship 37, engineers will inspect systems such as the composite overwrapped pressure vessels and the fuel tanks. These components must be confirmed to be free from leaks or any damage that could compromise the mission. Attention will also turn to the flaps, especially the aft flaps, which have shown wear from previous missions. The joints in these areas may need reinforcement to ensure they perform reliably during re-entry and landing maneuvers. Once inspections are complete, installation work will begin. The payload is expected to be integrated quickly, especially since a Starlink payload box had already arrived at Megabay 2 earlier, before being returned to the Starfactory for storage. It can be brought back at any time once S-37 is ready. Another important installation will be the FTS or Flight Termination System, which is required before launch. Altogether, this work should not take very long. Based on the current pace, it is reasonable to expect Ship 37 to be ready by around August 25th. At that point, the vehicle will make its third trip to the launch pad, this time for the actual flight. Meanwhile, significant changes are also taking place at the launch pad itself. Contrary to some expectations, the test stand was not left in place for S-38 testing after S-37 was completed. Instead, the crane was brought in to remove the test stand from the orbital launch mount. It's likely that the Ship Quick Disconnect Pipes and related systems will also be removed soon to make way for the BQD or Booster Quick Disconnect System. Once that's done, the hold-down clamp arms will be reinstalled, restoring the pad's configuration for booster operations. This work should take only a couple of days. Attention will then shift to B-16, which is awaiting its move from the rocket garden to the launch pad for final prep. The booster has already completed its hot staging test and has now been outfitted with its FTS, putting it one step closer to launch readiness. While waiting, B-16 has also undergone thorough checks. Engineers are focusing on the structure to confirm that it can withstand the high angles of attack expected during descent and landing. They're also giving particular attention to the engines. Not only must they handle multiple shutdown and restart sequences, but they must also demonstrate improved reliability after the booster from Flight 9 suffered an engine failure that led to its destruction close to its landing zone. For added safety, B-16 is scheduled to attempt a landing using two inner engines, providing a backup option in case one engine fails. With both S-37 and B-16 advancing toward completion, the likelihood of a full stack by the end of August is very strong. If work continues on schedule, the two stages could be stacked together shortly after August 25th, setting up for a late August launch. Given that the 27th marks exactly three months since the Flight 9 mission, it is a date worth keeping in mind as a possible launch window. So what do you think? Will SpaceX make it to launch by the end of this month? Share your predictions in the comments and do not forget to like the video and subscribe to our channel so you can stay updated on SpaceX's incredible development journey. Beyond the visible preparations with the hardware, SpaceX has also cleared another crucial hurdle on the road to Flight 10. That milestone is the licensing process. Since the conclusion of Flight 9, many observers noticed that the Federal Aviation Administration had provided very few public updates about Starship, particularly regarding the investigation into the previous mishap and the corrective measures SpaceX would need to take. This lack of communication left some uncertainty about how long it might take for approval to be granted. Fortunately, recent developments have clarified the situation. The FAA officially announced that the investigation into the Flight 9 anomaly has been closed, and with it came formal approval for SpaceX to proceed with Flight 10. This is a decisive step that allows the company to move forward without regulatory delays. The progress in coordination between SpaceX and the FAA is especially noteworthy. Compared to earlier flights, the process has become faster and more efficient, showing that both parties are working closely to keep the program moving at a steady pace. By streamlining communication and resolving issues more quickly, they are minimizing downtime and enabling SpaceX to plan more proactively for upcoming launches. Now that licensing is secured, SpaceX can focus its full attention on preparing the hardware for launch. The company is targeting August 24th, and work will continue without pause until the vehicle is ready. However, approval from the FAA is only one part of the equation. Additional steps are still required, including coastal closure schedules from Starbase City and Cameron County, hazard warnings issued by maritime agencies for landing zones, and the scheduling of flight-tracking aircraft. Each of these elements must fall into place before a liftoff can occur. In many ways, securing launch approval is just as important as the technical preparations with the vehicle and the launch infrastructure. It's a vital checkpoint that ensures the path to flight remains clear. So, stay tuned to our channel as we will continue to bring these critical updates as SpaceX moves closer to its historic flight 10. How important is Flight 10 for SpaceX? To answer that, we have to step back and look at the current trajectory of the Starship program. A few months ago, there was speculation that this might be the first mission to attempt catching the ship with the launch tower's chopsticks. That hope has now been shelved, with SpaceX confirming that no catch will be attempted on this flight. But rather, reducing its importance, this actually makes Flight 10 even more critical. The reality is that after three troubled flights in 2025, SpaceX urgently needs a clean, successful mission. Success here is not simply a symbolic victory. It is the foundation for restoring confidence after a period marked by setbacks and slower than expected progress. Investors, partners, NASA, and even competitors are watching closely. Flight 10 must show that SpaceX has absorbed the lessons from earlier flights and is ready to push forward with confidence. The outcome of this flight will directly influence the timeline of the next key milestones. If Flight 10 is successful, then Flight 11 could realistically be the first attempt to catch a returning ship. That would set the stage for the arrival of the upgraded V3 generation of Starship with Flight 12, marking a new era for the program. But if Flight 10 ends in failure, that entire roadmap shifts. Flight 11 would likely revert to a more conservative ocean landing, postponing the catch attempt until at least Flight 13. And because Flight 12 is set to debut the V3 hardware, SpaceX is unlikely to risk the catch on such a critical first outing. In that scenario, the earliest possible catch attempt would be next year, aligning with Musk's cautious statement that catching the ship might happen maybe this year, but more certainly in early 2026. This delay would ripple across the broader Starship development plan. The ability to consistently and safely catch the ship is not just a technical milestone, it is a gateway to the program's larger goals. Without mastering recovery, building the orbital refilling system becomes more difficult and time-consuming. That system is central to nearly every ambitious Starship mission on the horizon, from deploying massive satellite constellations to deep space exploration. SpaceX has already stated its target of launching an uncrewed mission to Mars around late 2026 and NASA's Artemis 3 lunar landing in 2027 depends on Starship refueling in orbit. To stay on track, the refueling system must be largely validated by the first half of 2026. Every delay now eats into that already tight schedule. Flight 10 is more than just another test. It's a pivotal moment for SpaceX. The competitive field is closing in. ULA's Vulcan is now flying operationally, Blue Origin's New Glenn has reached orbit with another launch set for September, and Rocket Lab's Neutron is preparing for debut. Meanwhile, Chinese firms are racing to replicate Starship's design. To stay ahead, SpaceX must prove Starship's reliability and readiness for refueling, catching, and Artemis missions. Success would secure momentum, while failure would hand rivals space to close the gap. We are approaching one of Starship's most important flights, with its outcome set to influence both SpaceX's future and the broader space race. Preparations are underway, with rockets and ground systems receiving full attention from SpaceX and the industry alike. The answer will come soon. So until then, stay tuned. This has been Kevin with GreatSpaceX. Don't forget to like the video and subscribe if you haven't already to stay up to 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.