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SpaceX is set to launch the 10th full-scale test flight of its Starship rocket from its Starbase facility in Texas, with a one-hour window opening at 6 p.m. CDT on Sunday. The 404-foot-tall Starship, paired with its Super Heavy booster, aims to test several key systems including an engine-out capability on the booster and deployment of eight Starlink satellite simulators. Weather conditions present a 45% chance of favorable launch weather. This flight follows three consecutive upper stage failures earlier this year and a June explosion during a test stand firing. Unlike previous missions, the Super Heavy booster will not be caught by the launch tower but will perform a controlled splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico. The upper stage will conduct reentry heat shield tests, including areas with intentionally removed tiles and new metallic tile designs, to gather data for future improvements. SpaceX plans to use Starship for NASA’s Artemis Moon missions and eventual Mars exploration, but technical challenges remain, including heat shield durability and in-orbit refueling. The company aims to increase reliability with hardware and operational changes in this flight. The launch will be streamed live on SpaceX’s website and other platforms. (Updated 25 Aug 2025, 02:42 IST; source: link)