This is the 7th flight of the SpaceX Starship launch system as a whole. Compared to previous flights, this time SpaceX will use the improved Starship Block 2 design instead of Block 1, which was used in previous flights.

The Block 2 design features forward flaps that are reduced in size, moved to the tip, and positioned away from the heat tiles. Compared to Block 1, this makes the forward flap hinges less vulnerable to intense heat and increases the control ability of the ship during reentry. Besides the forward flaps, the Block 2 ship also includes changes such as improved fuel lines, enhanced avionics, and more.

There are many planned testing objectives for this flight, including but not limited to a single Raptor relight in space, a booster catch, and the deployment of 10 Starlink mass simulators. (These are not real Starlink satellites; they are just mass simulators that mimic the weight and shape of the real satellites.)

The launch date is currently targeted for January, 2025 (UTC).