The most powerful rocket system ever built is about to attempt its most crucial test yet — but many experts believe the stakes have never been higher. SpaceX, founded by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, has confirmed that its Starship megarocket could launch as early as Sunday evening, carrying out an ambitious hour-long flight from the company’s South Texas base.

A webcast of the test will begin roughly 30 minutes before liftoff. If successful, Flight 10 will prove that SpaceX’s bold “fail fast, fix fast” approach can survive a string of catastrophic explosions that have left regulators, governments, and even allies deeply concerned.

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A rocky year for Starship

Since its debut in January 2025, the current Starship generation has struggled. One test vehicle exploded over the islands east of Florida, scattering debris on Turks and Caicos roads and Bahamian beaches. Another spun out of control in May before crashing into the Indian Ocean.

Then in June, a Starship prototype erupted during ground testing in Texas, showering SpaceX’s own infrastructure with shrapnel. These incidents have drawn criticism from governments worldwide. The Mexican government even threatened legal action over debris on its shores, while the UK government said it is working with Washington to protect its overseas territories.

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Why this test matters

Despite the setbacks, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently closed its investigation into the May failure and granted SpaceX approval to fly again. The company says it has corrected the nose-cone pressure issues that doomed the last flight.

If all goes as planned, Sunday’s mission will see the Super Heavy booster splash down off the Texas coast while the Starship spacecraft continues into orbit, deploying dummy satellites and attempting a crucial engine relight in space.

Former NASA astronaut and SpaceX consultant Garrett Reisman offered a blunt assessment:

“It could end up never working, or it could revolutionize our entire future in space — and geopolitics.”

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Bigger ambitions ahead

Elon Musk has already teased larger, more powerful versions of Starship that could eclipse even NASA’s Apollo-era Saturn V rockets. The U.S. is betting big on this technology: NASA has a $2.9 billion contract with SpaceX to use Starship for its planned 2027 lunar mission, while Musk dreams of sending a vehicle to Mars by 2026.

In May, the FAA also expanded SpaceX’s license to allow up to 25 Starship launches per year from Texas. And earlier this month, Donald Trump signed an executive order cutting regulatory barriers for private-sector space operations, despite his public fallout with Musk just weeks earlier.

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High risk, high reward

Critics argue that SpaceX is moving too fast, risking public safety and international relations. Supporters counter that the company’s rapid iterative development philosophy is exactly why it has become a leader in spaceflight.

“Every lesson, even from fiery mishaps, goes directly into the next design,” SpaceX said in its August 15 update. And history backs this up: while its Falcon 9 rockets suffered early failures, they now boast one of the safest records in human spaceflight.

If Starship eventually works, it could redefine what’s possible in space travel — slashing costs, enabling moon bases, Mars missions, and even intercontinental cargo delivery. But for now, experts remain divided.

As Reisman noted:

The entire world will be watching this weekend’s test, wondering if Starship will rise as the future of space exploration — or fall back to Earth in flames once again.
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Stargazers across Australia are in for a breathtaking treat this week as two major meteor showers—the Southern Delta Aquariids and the Alpha Capricornids—will dazzle the night skies. Best viewed between 11pm and dawn on Tuesday and Wednesday, these celestial events require no special equipment—just your own two eyes and a bit of patience.

According to Jonti Horner, Professor of Astrophysics at the University of Southern Queensland, both meteor showers are best seen from the Southern Hemisphere, making Australia one of the prime viewing spots globally.

“The radiant of the Southern Delta Aquariids is highest at around 2.00am local time,” said Horner. “Which means anytime between 11pm and dawn would be the prime time.”

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Why You Don’t Need a Telescope for This Show

It may seem counterintuitive, but Horner strongly advises leaving your binoculars and telescopes at home.

“The reason is simple,” he said. “You’ll want the widest possible field of view to see the greatest amount of sky. Binoculars give you a narrow tunnel; your eyes give you the universe.”

So, what’s the best gear? A blanket, a comfortable chair, a pillow, and a stargazing app to map the night sky. And one essential tip—avoid looking at your phone for a while beforehand.

“It takes about 45 minutes for your eyes to fully adapt to the dark,” Horner added. “But most adaptation happens within the first five minutes.”

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What Are the Southern Delta Aquariids?

The Southern Delta Aquariids are known for their relatively steady output of meteors and are considered one of the stronger showers of the southern skies. The radiant, or point from which the meteors appear to originate, lies within the Aquarius constellation.

These meteors enter Earth’s atmosphere at a blistering speed of around 40 kilometers per second, leaving behind bright, long trails. The best views will come when the radiant reaches its highest point—around 2am.

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What About the Alpha Capricornids?

Although the Alpha Capricornids are less intense, they’re still worth watching. Their radiant lies in the Capricornus constellation and they’re visible earlier in the evening—peaking just before midnight.

Traveling at about 22 kilometers per second, these meteors are slower but often brighter. In some cases, they can even produce fireballs, making them highly photogenic for those looking to snap a memorable night-sky shot.

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Where to Watch the Show

For the best views, experts recommend escaping the glare of city lights. Find a dark-sky location, ideally far from street lamps, headlights, and buildings. Scouting out the perfect spot during the day will save you the hassle of fumbling around in the dark later.

Horner’s tips:

• Get away from urban light pollution
• Give your eyes time to adjust
• Use a night-sky app to find the radiant
• Bring layers and snacks—it’s winter in Australia!

Weather may play spoilsport, however. Rain is forecasted in Sydney, while clouds may hover over Melbourne and Brisbane. It’s best to check local weather updates before heading out.

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Why Do Meteor Showers Happen?

Meteor showers occur when Earth passes through a trail of debris left behind by a comet. These particles, often no larger than a grain of sand, burn up in the atmosphere, producing the streaks of light we see as meteors.

Two meteor showers. One night.

Delta Aquariids + Alpha Capricornids = 20+ meteors/hour, some fireballs.

Look up, Southern U.S. — July 30 after 10 PM.https://t.co/n90hv2QCyL #meteorshower #astronomy #goodnews pic.twitter.com/Bi6jkDk0t9

— Good News Network (@goodnewsnetwork) July 28, 2025

“It’s like driving through a swarm of insects,” Horner explained. “The bugs hit the windscreen and splatter. In our case, the Earth is the windscreen and the debris is the bugs.”

Each shower is named after the constellation from which it appears to radiate—hence Delta Aquariids and Alpha Capricornids.

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What’s Next for Stargazers?

If you miss this week’s shows, don’t worry—there’s an even bigger spectacle on the horizon.

Horner points to The Geminids as the most impressive meteor shower of the year, peaking around December 14–15.

"The moon is waxing and only a quarter full, the meteors should appear bright, especially for stargazers outside of urban areas with lots of light pollution. Each shower expected to produce up to a dozen visible meteors per hour under dark skies."https://t.co/NvSKuLHhYV

— Cynthia Simmons (@cyntsimmons) July 29, 2025

“Depending on your latitude, you’ll start seeing them around 9.30pm in Brisbane,” he said. “This year, the moon will be new, so there’ll be no light interference—perfect viewing conditions.”

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Final Tips for the Perfect Night Under the Stars

• Dress warm—it’s winter!
• Avoid caffeine if you plan to nap
• Use a red-light flashlight to preserve night vision
• Be patient—meteors often come in bursts

And perhaps most importantly—look up, be present, and enjoy the humbling reminder that Earth is just a speck in a vast, mysterious universe.

The Southern delta Aquariid meteor shower peaks July 30-31, but viewing may be disappointing, especially in the Northern Hemisphere, with fewer than 10 meteors per hour.

Expect faint streaks, not fireworks.

(1/2) pic.twitter.com/DW0a7tk3vB

— Xiujun Ma (@maxiujun) July 29, 2025

As Carl Sagan once said:

“Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.”

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