March 2025

1. 13 Thu
   SpaceX press on with pre-launch testing while working Ship issue mitigation

   NSF deep-dive into the Flight 8 anomaly root cause: probable Raptor Vacuum engine ignition failure caused propellant mixing and fire, leading to loss of three center engines and attitude control. Highlights how liquid oxygen ballast during ground static fire masks vibration issues. Ship 35 already in cryo testing; Ship 36 being stacked. Timeline pressure growing.

   Starship Flight 8: Booster Caught, Ship 34 Lost Over Atlantic
2. 6 Thu
   SpaceX catches Booster 15, loses Ship 34 during Starship Flight 8

   Detailed NASASpaceFlight technical coverage of Flight 8: Booster 15 executed a nominal ascent and was caught by the chopstick arms for the third time. Ship 34, the second Block 2 Starship, lost attitude control at T+8:04 after 4 Raptor engines shut down prematurely, then disintegrated over the Bahamas. FAA opened a new mishap investigation while Flight 7's investigation was still open.

   Starship Flight 8: Booster Caught, Ship 34 Lost Over Atlantic

Headlines link to nasaspaceflight.com. Summaries are ours, 1–2 lines; read the full story at the source.