

SpaceX
SpaceX test-fires Falcon 9 Block 5 booster for upgraded rocket’s fifth launch
After a couple of weeks of mysterious delays, SpaceX is once again back in the saddle for its next orbital mission and has successfully completed Falcon 9’s routine prelaunch wet dress rehearsal and static fire. This rocket will launch Telstar 19V’s (launched in July) sister communications satellite Telstar 18V to a high-energy transfer orbit at 11:28 PM EDT, September 8 (03:28 UTC, September 9).
SpaceX’s static fire testing – conducted once in Texas with just the first stage and once at the launch site with the upper stage attached – is very nearly identical to a real launch, save for the fact that the rocket is not allowed to actually lift off from the pad, and only ignites its main engines for a handful of seconds.
Static fire test of Falcon 9 complete—targeting September 8 launch of Telstar 18 VANTAGE from Pad 40 in Florida.
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) September 5, 2018

Almost entirely unique to SpaceX in the launch industry, Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy are perhaps the only operational (orbital-class) rockets in the world to still conduct routine test fires of integrated segments, including both boosters, upper stages, and even Dragon spacecraft thrusters (both Crew and Cargo variants). Other launch providers like ULA, Arianespace, and Roscosmos will typically test engines individually, but that testing is often not even routine – spot checks more than anything systematic.
In fact, SpaceX’s system of hardware testing as extraordinarily extensive. Aside from test firing integrated boosters and upper stages, SpaceX doubles down on that testing both at the launch site and in Texas. Prior to integrated testing, essentially all rocket engines (sea-level Merlin 1Ds, vacuum Merlin 1Ds, SuperDraco thrusters, Draco thrusters, and Falcon’s cold gas maneuvering thrusters) are hot-fire (or cold-fire, in the case of the cold gas thrusters) tested in Texas after completing assembly in Hawthorne.
- The second Block 5 booster, B1047, debuted at LC-40 on July 21. (Tom Cross)
- Falcon 9 B1049 arrived at the launch pad just hours after the successful launch of Telkom-4, August 7. This rocket will launch Telstar 18V before landing on drone ship Of Course I Still Love You. (Tom Cross)
- The first Block 5 Falcon 9 lifts off on May 4, 2018. (Tom Cross)
After that, the individual rocket engines and thrusters are shipped back to Hawthorne, integrated into their Dragon, Falcon upper stage, or Falcon booster parent rocket, and then shipped back to Texas once more for integrated test-fires, shipped to their launch site, and test-fired yet again (in the case of Falcon 9 and Heavy, not Dragon). This extraordinarily systematic testing apparatus is without a doubt unique to SpaceX, with the only closest comparison being found in small launch startup Rocket Lab, which is also extensively vertically integrated, including in-house tests of all engines prior to shipment.
Much like modern aircraft (particularly airliners) routinely test all critical systems prior to takeoff, particularly a full-thrust engine check with brakes applied, SpaceX and Rocket Lab are explicitly attempting to replicate in spaceflight the sort of practices that have helped to make air travel perhaps the safest and most reliable method of transportation ever created by humans.
@SpaceXFleet My roommate (@Kraken_Brad) just sent me this from Fishlips. #OCISLY movin out! pic.twitter.com/QE0ObV9i79
— Stephen Marr (@spacecoast_stve) September 4, 2018
For prompt updates, on-the-ground perspectives, and unique glimpses of SpaceX’s rocket recovery fleet check out our brand new LaunchPad and LandingZone newsletters!
News
Starship Flight 9 nears as SpaceX’s Starbase becomes a Texan City
SpaceX’s launch site is officially incorporated as Starbase, TX. Starship Flight 9 could launch on May 27, 2025.

SpaceX’s Starbase is officially incorporated as a city in Texas, aligning with preparations for Starship Flight 9. The newly formed city in Cameron County serves as the heart of SpaceX’s Starship program.
Starbase City spans 1.5 square miles, encompassing SpaceX’s launch facility and company-owned land. A near-unanimous vote by residents, who were mostly SpaceX employees, led to its incorporation. SpaceX’s Vice President of Test and Launch, Bobby Peden, was elected mayor of Starbase. The new Texas city also has two SpaceX employees as commissioners. All Starbase officials will serve two-year terms unless extended to four by voters.
As the new city takes shape, SpaceX is preparing for the Starship Flight 9 launch, which is tentatively scheduled for May 27, 2025, at 6:30 PM CDT from Starbase, Texas.
SpaceX secured Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval for up to 25 annual Starship and Super Heavy launches from the site. However, the FAA emphasized that “there are other licensing requirements still to be completed,” including policy, safety, and environmental reviews.
On May 15, the FAA noted SpaceX updated its launch license for Flight 9, but added: “SpaceX may not launch until the FAA either closes the Starship Flight 8 mishap investigation or makes a return to flight determination. The FAA is reviewing the mishap report SpaceX submitted on May 14.”
Proposed Texas legislation could empower Starbase officials to close local highways and restrict Boca Chica Beach access during launches. Cameron County Judge Eddie Trevino, Jr., opposes the Texas legislation, insisting beach access remain under county control. This tension highlights the balance between SpaceX’s ambitions and local interests.
Starbase’s incorporation strengthens SpaceX’s operational base as it gears up for Starship Flight 9, a critical step in its mission to revolutionize space travel. With growing infrastructure and regulatory hurdles in focus, Starbase is poised to become a cornerstone of SpaceX’s vision, blending community development with cutting-edge aerospace innovation.
News
United Airlines debuts Starlink Wi-Fi on Detroit flight
United’s first passenger flight with Starlink Wi-Fi just landed in Detroit. Mainline flights to follow by year-end.

United Airlines debuted Starlink Wi-Fi on its first passenger flight to Detroit, marking a milestone in in-flight connectivity with SpaceX’s satellite internet.
On Thursday, the morning flight from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport introduced high-speed, gate-to-gate Starlink internet for United Airlines passengers. The Starlink-equipped United Embraer E-175, tail number UA5717, departed at 7:35 a.m. for Detroit Metropolitan Airport.
United announced the rollout on X, stating, “That lightning-fast Wi-Fi we told you about? It’s here. Our first customers just found out what it’s like to break the Wi-Fi barrier and stream, scroll, shop, and game just like at home with Starlink. And it’s FREE for MileagePlus members. Rolling out across our fleet now.”
The service leverages Starlink’s 7,000+ low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites to deliver broadband globally, including in remote areas. United is the only major U.S. airline currently offering Starlink. The airline plans to expand the service across its two-cabin regional fleet and introduce it on mainline flights by year-end.
Sean Cudahy from The Points Guy tested Starlink’s Wi-Fi pre-launch, praising its ease and reliability. “I ran a speed test, and it clocked the Wi-Fi at 217 Mbps of download speed, and 26.8 Mbps of upload speed,” Cudahy shared, noting its suitability for long flights.
Beyond aviation, SpaceX is pitching Starlink as a GPS alternative, emphasizing its potential for Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) services. This dual capability underscores Starlink’s versatility.
In a letter to the FCC, SpaceX wrote, “One opportunity stands out as a particularly ripe, low-hanging fruit: facilitating the rapid deployment of next-generation low-Earth orbit (‘LEO’) satellite constellations that can deliver PNT as a service alongside high-speed, low-latency broadband and ubiquitous mobile connectivity.”
As SpaceX expands Starlink’s applications, from aviation to navigation, United’s adoption signals a broader shift toward satellite-driven connectivity on long flights. With plans to equip more aircraft, United and Starlink are redefining in-flight internet, promising seamless digital access at 30,000 feet.
News
SpaceX touts Starlink as GPS alternative in FCC PNT push
SpaceX highlighted Starlink’s potential to deliver PNT services alongside its broadband offerings.

SpaceX is positioning its Starlink constellation as a viable GPS alternative. In a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), SpaceX stated that it could leverage Starlink satellites for next-generation Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) solutions.
GPS has been run through a single provider in the United States, the Defense Department. The FCC intends to use Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) solutions to complement GPS technologies. In its letter, SpaceX highlighted Starlink’s potential to deliver PNT services alongside its broadband offerings in its letter to the FCC.
“As the Commission identifies specific actions to contribute to the whole-of-government PNT system resilience effort, one opportunity stands out as a particularly ripe, low-hanging fruit: facilitating the rapid deployment of next-generation low-Earth orbit (‘LEO’) satellite constellations that can deliver PNT as a service alongside high-speed, low-latency broadband and ubiquitous mobile connectivity,” SpaceX wrote.
SpaceX also emphasized its ongoing work to integrate PNT into its cellular Starlink service, which is expected to be launched with T-Mobile in July. The private space provider also stated that Starlink satellites already operate independently of GPS. This lays the groundwork for resilient PNT delivery across authorized frequencies, SpaceX noted in its letter.
“SpaceX has also been actively working to integrate PNT solutions into its direct-to-device commercial service offerings. In so doing, SpaceX can advance the Commission’s goal in this proceeding to maintain American leadership in next-generation PNT services both here at home and in over 130 countries it serves around the world.
“SpaceX looks forward to playing an integral role in creating a more robust, resilient, and secure PNT ecosystem for Americans and people around the world,” SpaceX noted.
SpaceX also advocated for a “technology-neutral approach” to GPS alternatives in its letter, while critiquing EchoStar’s unused 2GHz spectrum for mobile satellite services. Meanwhile, Globalstar, Apple’s satellite provider, also pitched its services as a GPS complement, stating that its services “can function as either an alternative or a complement to GPS.”
“Notably, Globalstar’s satellites transmit outside of the L-band, which provides PNT users with added immunity from GPS jamming and spoofing. In addition, Globalstar’s satellite transmissions at 2.4GHz are stronger than GPS signals, bolstering resilience, performance, and reliability,” GlobalStar noted.
SpaceX’s letter to the FCC can be viewed below.
Starlink GPS FCC by maria on Scribd
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