SpaceX announces Starship Flight 8’s new target date – TESLARATI

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Starship Flight 8 comes after SpaceX completed an investigation into the Starship upper stage’s loss during Flight 7.

Mission Targets
The upcoming mission will follow a suborbital trajectory, deploying four Starlink simulators that will burn up on reentry, as per a release from SpaceX. This also marks Starship’s first payload drop. A single Raptor engine relight in space is planned, alongside reentry experiments that should help pave the way for the Starship upper stage’s return and catch at the launch site in later missions.

The Super Heavy booster will launch, execute a boostback burn, and attempt a catch by the tower’s chopsticks. If health checks on the booster or tower falter, or if the Flight Director withholds final approval, the booster will default to a trajectory for a soft splashdown in the Gulf of America. Sonic booms from the returning booster will be audible near the landing zone.

Starship’s eighth flight test now targeting to launch as soon as Thursday, March 6 → https://t.co/alyJTRtOIP pic.twitter.com/3OORFZbSPT— SpaceX (@SpaceX) March 5, 2025
Improvements to Starship and Super Heavy
As noted by SpaceX, Starship’s forward flaps have been redesigned to reduce reentry heat exposure and simplify mechanisms. The Starship upper stage’s propulsion system has also gained a 25% propellant volume boost for longer flights. Advertisement
SpaceX has removed a number of tiles from Starship to stress-test vulnerable spots across the vehicle. The reentry profile is designed to intentionally stress the structural limits of the upper stage’s rear flaps while at the point of maximum entry dynamic pressure as well.

The Super Heavy booster, on the other hand, features upgraded avionics, a more powerful flight computer, enhanced power and network distribution, and integrated smart batteries.

Starship Flight 8 comes after SpaceX completed an investigation into the Starship upper stage’s loss during Flight 7.

The Super Heavy booster, on the other hand, features upgraded avionics, a more powerful flight computer, enhanced power and network distribution, and integrated smart batteries.

The upcoming mission will follow a suborbital trajectory, deploying four Starlink simulators that will burn up on reentry, as per a release from SpaceX. This also marks Starship’s first payload drop. A single Raptor engine relight in space is planned, alongside reentry experiments that should help pave the way for the Starship upper stage’s return and catch at the launch site in later missions.

The Super Heavy booster, on the other hand, features upgraded avionics, a more powerful flight computer, enhanced power and network distribution, and integrated smart batteries.

Starship’s eighth flight test now targeting to launch as soon as Thursday, March 6 → https://t.co/alyJTRtOIP pic.twitter.com/3OORFZbSPT— SpaceX (@SpaceX) March 5, 2025As noted by SpaceX, Starship’s forward flaps have been redesigned to reduce reentry heat exposure and simplify mechanisms. The Starship upper stage’s propulsion system has also gained a 25% propellant volume boost for longer flights. Advertisement
SpaceX has removed a number of tiles from Starship to stress-test vulnerable spots across the vehicle. The reentry profile is designed to intentionally stress the structural limits of the upper stage’s rear flaps while at the point of maximum entry dynamic pressure as well.

The Super Heavy booster, on the other hand, features upgraded avionics, a more powerful flight computer, enhanced power and network distribution, and integrated smart batteries.

SpaceX has removed a number of tiles from Starship to stress-test vulnerable spots across the vehicle. The reentry profile is designed to intentionally stress the structural limits of the upper stage’s rear flaps while at the point of maximum entry dynamic pressure as well.

The Super Heavy booster, on the other hand, features upgraded avionics, a more powerful flight computer, enhanced power and network distribution, and integrated smart batteries.

Simon is an experienced automotive reporter with a passion for electric cars and clean energy. Fascinated by the world envisioned by Elon Musk, he hopes to make it to Mars (at least as a tourist) someday.

For stories or tips–or even to just say a simple hello–send a message to his email, simon@teslarati.com or his handle on X, @ResidentSponge.Diagnosed in 2018 with a rare form of brain and spine cancer with no cure, the teen has undergone 13 surgeries by the time he was 12.PublishedonByElon Musk has seemingly confirmed that he will be sending a Tesla Cybertruck to 13-year-old Devarjaye “DJ” Daniel, a 13-year-old Houston boy fighting brain cancer. The teen was recognized as an honorary Secret Service member by U.S. President Donald Trump during his address to Congress on Tuesday.

A Chance Meeting
The Tesla CEO’s Cybertruck pledge was mentioned during DJ’s short interview with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins. When Collins asked the 13-year-old what he told the Tesla CEO, DJ answered that he asked for a Cybertruck.

“I said, ‘can you do me a big favor, when you get back to Houston can you send us a Cybertruck down there?’” the cancer fighter stated.

Daniel noted that Musk responded positively to his request, which was highlighted by Collins in a post on X. Musk responded to the post with a heart emoji, suggesting that he really will be sending a Cybertruck to the 13-year-old cancer fighter.

❤️— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 6, 2025

Teen’s Cancer Battle Inspires
Diagnosed in 2018 with a rare form of brain and spine cancer with no cure, Daniel has undergone 13 surgeries by the time he was 12. During his speech, Trump highlighted the 13-year-old’s long battle with his disease. Advertisement
“Joining us in the gallery tonight is a young man who truly loves our police. The doctors gave him five months at most to live. That was more than six years ago. Since that time, DJ and his dad have been on a quest to make his dream come true,” Trump stated.