Mission Reports Launch preview: SpaceX to launch its Starship rocket on a 7th suborbital test flight from Starbase January 16, 2025 Will Robinson-Smith The mission will launch the first big block upgrade to the rocket since its first flight in 2023. Liftoff from SpaceX’s Starbase facilities in southern Texas is set for 4 p.m. CST (5 p.m. EST, 2200 UTC).