Flight 10: Payload deploy, relight, and a clean V2 scorecard
August 26, 2025 finally closed the loop — eight Starlink simulators deployed, a second in-space Raptor relight, stressed reentry data, and soft splashdowns on both ends of the stack.
What happened
Flight 10 lifted off at 6:30 p.m. CT on August 26, 2025 and met every major objective SpaceX had put on the card for the V2 generation.
Hot-staging, booster return to a splashdown zone with a intentional engine-out landing-burn demo, ship ascent, payload deploy, relight, and Indian Ocean splashdown all closed.
First payload deploy
During coast, Starship opened the payload path and deployed eight Starlink simulators — the first successful payload demonstration from Starship.
A Raptor in-space relight followed, repeating a capability first shown on Flight 6 and needed for future deorbit burns.
Stressed reentry
Entry intentionally pushed heat-shield and structural limits before a landing flip and soft splashdown in the Indian Ocean.
The flight became the reference V2 integrated success heading into the Pad 1 closeout flight.