SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has confirmed that the next Starship test flight is scheduled for next week, marking what could be a pivotal step in humanity’s journey to Mars. However, behind the scenes at SpaceX, not everything is running as smoothly as the rockets. According to insider sources, while the company pushes toward another high-stakes launch, employee morale has taken a significant hit.

Aiming for the Stars

Speaking on X (formerly Twitter), Musk announced:

“If all goes well with regulatory approval, Starship will launch next week. The team is ready.”

This will be the fourth integrated flight test of the Starship-Super Heavy launch system, the largest and most powerful rocket ever built. The mission aims to improve on previous flights by achieving better stage separation, orbital velocity, and a controlled reentry.

Musk has called Starship “the key to making life multi-planetary,” and NASA is also relying on the vehicle for its Artemis program to return astronauts to the Moon.

Low Spirits on the Ground

Despite the ambitious goals, internal sources at SpaceX report a growing sense of burnout and frustration among staff, particularly at the Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas.

Employees who spoke under condition of anonymity cited long hours, intense pressure, and a lack of clear communication from upper management. One engineer described the atmosphere as “relentless,” saying,

“We’re working on something historic, but sometimes it feels like we’re just barely holding it together.”

Others pointed to Musk’s famously demanding leadership style and the company’s “move fast and break things” culture as a source of both inspiration and exhaustion.

Tension Between Vision and Reality

The contrast between Musk’s lofty vision for Mars colonization and the current working conditions has not gone unnoticed. While employees remain proud of the mission, many are calling for better work-life balance and more realistic deadlines.

An internal email obtained by media sources revealed growing concern about turnover and team fatigue, particularly in departments directly involved in Starship development. Some employees say the rapid pace has led to mistakes and rework that could have been avoided with more planning and support.

SpaceX Responds

In response to questions about employee well-being, a SpaceX spokesperson stated:

“We are immensely proud of our team and their dedication. We are continuously working to improve processes, communication, and support systems.”

The company also highlighted recent hires in HR and engineering management intended to provide more structure and reduce employee burnout.

Eyes on the Launch

Despite internal struggles, anticipation for next week’s launch is high. If successful, the flight would demonstrate significant technical improvements and bring Starship closer to operational status. The rocket is critical not only for NASA’s Artemis missions but also for future SpaceX plans to deploy Starlink satellites in bulk and eventually launch humans to Mars.

For now, all eyes are on Boca Chica, where teams are racing against the clock — and their own limits — to make history.