SpaceX Tests 33-Engine Super Heavy Booster Ahead of Starship Flight 15

SpaceX tested Super Heavy booster B22 at its Starbase facility in Texas on October 25, 2026. The test supports preparations for the company’s 15th Starship flight test.

Key details

• SpaceX described the test as a full-duration static fire involving all 33 booster engines; the burn lasted about 15 seconds.
• The planned upper stage for Flight Test 15 is Ship 42.
• SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has said the company intends to attempt to catch the upper stage at the launch tower during the flight.
• NASA contracted SpaceX to develop a Starship-based lunar lander for the Artemis program.

The test burn lasted about 15 seconds, with all 33 engines firing.

Why it matters

The booster test advances work on Starship, the vehicle SpaceX is developing for missions that include NASA’s Artemis lunar landing effort. A tower catch of the upper stage would also be a central feature of the planned Flight 15 test.

What happens next

SpaceX’s work at Starbase continues toward Flight Test 15, with B22 tested and Ship 42 identified as the planned upper stage. Which part of the next Starship flight test will you be watching?