{"id":61625,"date":"2026-08-05T22:55:23","date_gmt":"2026-08-05T14:55:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/while-spacex-recovers-ship-40-ship-41-prepares-for-testing-ahead-of-flight-14\/"},"modified":"2026-08-05T22:55:23","modified_gmt":"2026-08-05T14:55:23","slug":"while-spacex-recovers-ship-40-ship-41-prepares-for-testing-ahead-of-flight-14","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/while-spacex-recovers-ship-40-ship-41-prepares-for-testing-ahead-of-flight-14\/","title":{"rendered":"While SpaceX recovers Ship 40, Ship 41 prepares for testing ahead of Flight 14"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><!--[CDATA[<img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1288\" height=\"1033\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/NSF-2026-08-04-16-40-59-442.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;\" decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/NSF-2026-08-04-16-40-59-442.jpg 1288w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/NSF-2026-08-04-16-40-59-442-350x281.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/NSF-2026-08-04-16-40-59-442-436x350.jpg 436w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/NSF-2026-08-04-16-40-59-442-768x616.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/NSF-2026-08-04-16-40-59-442-1170x938.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1288px) 100vw, 1288px\" \/--><\/p>\n<div style=\"position:relative;width:100%;padding-top:56.25%;overflow:hidden;\"><iframe title=\"SpaceX Tries to Save Ship 40 as Flight 14 Nears | Starship Update\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/OWqDG2gNPko?feature=oembed\" style=\"position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;border:0;\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share; fullscreen\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen=\"\" webkitallowfullscreen=\"\" mozallowfullscreen=\"\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p>Ship 40 performed a controlled flip and landing burn: it ignited its engines, flipped vertically, swung into position, down-selected to two engines, and soft-landed in the water.<\/p>\n<p>In previous flights, the toppling after splashdown destroyed the vehicle. This time Ship 40 remained intact, giving SpaceX drone cameras clear, close-up views of the thermal protection system while the ship floated.<\/p>\n<p>Elon Musk confirmed that SpaceX dispatched recovery vessels rather than scuttling the ship or allowing it to sink. He also noted that the landing accuracy would have permitted a catch by the tower arms.<\/p>\n<p>Ship 40 drifted more than 400 kilometers as GO Australis tracked it. Normand Ranger and Skimmer Tide later joined the effort in the Indian Ocean, with Normand Ranger arriving first.<\/p>\n<p>Recovery operations are underway; towing the vehicle to shore may require several additional days. Once in Australia, SpaceX can inspect the ship on site or arrange transport to Starbase.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">New satellite images of Ship 40 just dropped<\/p>\n<p>Story with w\/ @ThomasBordeaux7 https:\/\/t.co\/XvVZz85NLp pic.twitter.com\/lcXdgxRJms<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Jackie Wattles (@jackiewattles) August 3, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>The intact recovery supplies engineers with direct physical access to the thermal protection system after a complete flight. In-space imagery from the Starlink Version 3 satellites deployed on Flight 13 shows the heatshield largely intact despite elevated aerodynamic pressure during ascent.<\/p>\n<p>The principal concern lies in the aft section, where several tiles are missing, and the bottom rim exhibits damage. Satellite views establish that this damage originated earlier in flight, giving teams concrete evidence to refine the TPS for subsequent missions.<\/p>\n<p>SpaceX also released images of the Starlink satellites with solar panels deployed and some firing ion thrusters, plus a view of Ship 40 captured from one of the satellites.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"100%\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/NSF-2026-08-04-16-43-10-916.jpg\"><br \/>\nA time-lapse assembled from four cameras on a single satellite spans roughly six minutes of real time and records the ship\u2019s attitude adjustment to present its heatshield, repeated flap movements, and aft vents activating ahead of the planned Raptor in-space relight.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">View of Starship in space from a Starlink V3 satellite on Flight 13.<\/p>\n<p>This composite is made of imagery from four separate cameras on a single satellite. Six of the satellites were equipped with cameras to scan Starship\u2019s heat shield and transmit imagery down to operators to\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/sNTHHz5vLr<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 SpaceX (@SpaceX) July 31, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>COMPASS planning materials list August 20 as a potential date for Flight 14, updated from an earlier August 13 reference. The schedule remains subject to vehicle and pad progress, yet the listing supports an August flight window.<\/p>\n<p>At Pad 2, teams launched inspections and repairs immediately after Flight 13. The pad surface and surrounding berm walls survived largely intact. Inside the flame trench, crews positioned lifts to inspect the walls and flame diverter and installed burn plates on sections that absorbed higher heat loads than anticipated.<\/p>\n<div style=\"position:relative;width:100%;padding-top:56.25%;overflow:hidden;\"><iframe title=\"Starbase Catches up after Flight 13 | SpaceX Starbase\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/OhmYmdBg3bk?feature=oembed\" style=\"position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;border:0;\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share; fullscreen\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen=\"\" webkitallowfullscreen=\"\" mozallowfullscreen=\"\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p>The extended static fire of Booster 20 remains a likely contributor to the additional thermal stress. Workers have also removed components from the tower arms in a sequence consistent with preparations for a possible ship catch.<\/p>\n<p>Inside the Mega Bays, Booster 21 has completed its cryogenic test campaign and is receiving engines ahead of its static-fire sequence. Ship 41 finished cryogenic testing earlier, has been fitted with engines, and is prepared to roll out to Massey\u2019s for engine testing as early as later this week.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"100%\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/NSF-2026-08-04-16-46-59-322.jpg\"><br \/>\nAfter the static-fire campaign, the ship will return to the bay for payload integration and final preparations. A road closure from Production to Massey\u2019s has been filed for this week; if the movement involves Ship 41, the static-fire campaign could begin later this week.<\/p>\n<p>Raptor engines travel to Starbase from SpaceX\u2019s McGregor, Texas, test site. Over a recent two-week period ending Saturday morning, SpaceX conducted 22 Raptor 3 firings: 17 at the Raptor Vertical stand and five at Raptor South.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"100%\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/NSF-2026-08-04-16-47-52-977.jpg\"><br \/>\nOne Vertical-stand firing lasted approximately 140 seconds, matching a full ascent-burn duration, and corresponds to the engine later reinstalled on Booster 20.<\/p>\n<p>Most other Vertical-stand tests ran near 105 seconds, the standard verification length, while Raptor South firings remained at or below 20 seconds. The Raptor North stand has stood unused for roughly three weeks.<\/p>\n<p>Engines observed rolling past NSF\u2019s McGregor live cameras predominantly carry serial numbers in the 100s range, with occasional units in the 200s.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Well that was quick\u2026<\/p>\n<p>Raptor 3 181 heading back away from the testing area\u2026<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"100%\" src=\"https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/17.0.2\/72x72\/1f4f7.png\">: @NASASpaceflight https:\/\/t.co\/4WWVfuqIpQ pic.twitter.com\/Wnb6BOWY90<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Rhin0 (@SpaceRhin0) August 3, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>McGregor serves as the essential qualification facility for every Raptor before installation on a booster or ship. The site also conducts validation tests for Falcon hardware, including boosters, upper stages, and the Merlin engines that power those vehicles.<\/p>\n<p>(Lead image via SpaceX).<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"100%\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/L2_Membership_ShopBanner_c3acb3ad-719d-484c-8c2d-3ca9d11244f0-1.webp\"><\/p>\n<p>The post While SpaceX recovers Ship 40, Ship 41 prepares for testing ahead of Flight 14 appeared first on NASASpaceFlight.com.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ship 40 performed a controlled flip and landing burn: it ignited its engines, flipped vertically, swung into position, down-selected to two engines, and soft-landed in the water. In previous flights, the toppling after splashdown destroyed the vehicle. This time Ship 40 remained intact, giving SpaceX drone cameras clear, close-up views of the thermal protection system [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-61625","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61625"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=61625"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61625\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=61625"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=61625"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=61625"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}