Overview
- SpaceX posted video showing Ship 40 perform a full‑duration single‑engine Raptor 3 static fire that lasted about 15 seconds on June 26, confirming the central engine can ignite and run.
- After rolling out to Massey’s test site and completing propellant cycles and an earlier igniter attempt, Ship 40 was rolled back to Mega Bay 2 before teams completed a planned six‑engine static fire and SpaceX has not explained why.
- Booster 20 remains in Mega Bay 1 following cryo‑proof work and is likely still weeks from a full 33‑engine static fire, while Pad 2 has received new landing‑rail hardware and additional cryogenic plumbing work.
- Engine tests are part of a stepwise validation campaign toward Flight 13, which SpaceX COO Gwynne Shotwell says will be another suborbital demonstration, and analysts estimate a possible late‑July to summer attempt but warn the schedule could slip.
- Ship 40 uses six new Raptor 3 engines and these ground checks matter because Starship still needs full multi‑engine and booster validation plus in‑orbit refueling capability to support future orbital missions and NASA’s Artemis lunar plans.