Starship Integrated Flight Test 9 (IFT-9) Preview

SpaceX is preparing for the ninth integrated flight test (IFT-9) of its Starship program, scheduled for March 27, 2025. This test follows challenges encountered during IFT-8 and introduces new objectives to advance Starship’s development. Below is a summary of key points, including insights from IFT-8 and details for IFT-9.

IFT-8 Mishap Summary

During IFT-8, issues arose with the Super Heavy booster and the Starship spacecraft:

Booster Engine Relight Failure: Torch ignition issues prevented some of the booster’s engines from relighting during the boostback and landing burn phases.
Starship Explosion: A hardware failure in one of the upper stage’s center Raptor engines led to inadvertent propellant mixing and ignition, causing the spacecraft’s explosion.

Source: SpaceX IFT-8 Mishap Investigation Summary

IFT-9 Objectives

IFT-9 introduces several milestones and experiments to further test Starship’s capabilities:

Flight-Proven Booster: This will be the first launch of a Super Heavy booster previously flown and recovered during IFT-7. Notably, 29 of its 33 Raptor engines are flight-proven.
Payload Deployment: Starship will deploy eight Starlink simulators (~16'000kg), similar in size to next-generation Starlink satellites, marking the vehicle’s first payload deployment.
Raptor Engine Relight: A single Raptor engine on the Starship spacecraft will attempt an in-space relight.
Reentry Stress Test: Starship’s reentry profile will intentionally stress the structural limits of the upper stage’s rear flaps at the point of maximum dynamic pressure.
Booster Flight Experiments: The Super Heavy booster will perform experiments to gather data on future flight profiles and off-nominal scenarios. To prioritize the safety of Starbase’s launch infrastructure, the booster will target an offshore landing in the Gulf of Mexico and will not attempt a return to the launch site.
High Angle of Attack Descent: The booster will fly at a higher angle of attack during descent to increase atmospheric drag, reducing descent speed and propellant needed for the landing burn.
Flight Trajectory: mission profile will be similar to IFT-8. Ship will land in the Indian Ocean (ideally close to Australia).

Source: SpaceX IFT-9 Mission Overview

Source: Wikipedia Starship flight test 9

Starship Program Timeline

The table below outlines the timeline of Starship’s integrated flight tests, showing the progression of tests and intervals between them:

Test	Date	Days Elapsed
IFT-1	20.04.23	-
IFT-2	18.11.23	212
IFT-3	14.03.24	117
IFT-4	06.06.24	84
IFT-5	13.10.24	129
IFT-6	19.11.24	37
IFT-7	16.01.25	58
IFT-8	06.03.25	49
IFT-9	27.03.25	82

Starship Specifications

The Starship system, comprising the spacecraft and Super Heavy booster, is designed for full reusability and large-scale payload delivery. Key specifications include:

Component	Details
Full Stack
Height	123 m
Diameter	9 m
Payload Capacity (Reusable)	100–150 t
Starship Spacecraft
Height	52 m
Diameter	9 m
Super Heavy Booster
Height	71 m
Diameter	9 m

Source: SpaceX Starship Overview

NASASpaceflight Update

Starship Flight 9 Prepares for Launch | What You Need To Know | Starbase Update

Raptor Engine Development

The Raptor engine, powering both the Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy booster, has undergone significant upgrades to improve performance and reliability. For a detailed look at these advancements, watch Tim Dodd’s video: How SpaceX Is Upgrading Raptor To Be The Ultimate Rocket Engine!

Last Minute Appointment for Tim Dodd

Tim got the chance to talk to Elon Musk 4 hours before launch of IFT 9

Got to catch up with @elonmusk for a few minutes before today's launch! We were going to chat after today's speech, but unfortunately that changed, but, always happy to talk rockets!!! Join our Flight 9 coverage in 15 minutes!! Best of luck today @SpaceX!!! pic.twitter.com/KJNEtiyJ2d
— Everyday Astronaut (@Erdayastronaut) May 27, 2025

Elon indicates that the most important point of this mission is to test the heat tiles.

Live streams

More Information

Tim Dodd was lucky enough to get three guided tours around Starbase by Elon Musk:

Tour 2024:

Tour 2022:

Tour 2021:

Further information

StarshipGazer.com: Useful Starship links
Background information about previous SpaceX launches: Wikipedia
FAA: SpaceX Starship Super Heavy Project at the Boca Chica Launch Site
FAA: Licensed Launches

Starship OFT flight plan

Lex Fridman: Starship: The most powerful rocket ever made | Tim Dodd and Lex Fridman

SpaceX Starship Explosive Potential, and Big Bang Theory

Tim Dodd made a video contrasting Starship V1 and V2:
What's new with Flight 7's massively upgraded Starship?!?

Starship Integrated Flight Test 9 (IFT-9) Preview | NET 27.05.25; 23:30 UTC