The SpaceX Starship 11th test flight launched successfully on October 13, 2025, marking a significant milestone in reusable rocket technology. This mission pushed the limits of Starship’s design by stress-testing its heatshield, performing a new five-engine Super Heavy landing burn, and deploying Starlink simulators before splashing down in the Indian Ocean.
Flight Overview and Technological Milestones
The launch took place from SpaceX’s Starbase in South Texas at 6:23 p.m. CDT. Booster 15-2, which previously flew on Flight 8, lifted off with all 33 Raptor engines firing, demonstrating remarkable engine reliability with minimal changes—only nine of 33 engines were swapped prior to launch. After stage separation, the booster executed a boost-back burn and transitioned into a new Block 3 landing sequence using five engines, then three engines for hover before splashdown. Although one engine initially failed to relight during boost-back, it recovered for landing, underscoring the system’s resilience.
Meanwhile, Ship 38 successfully completed its ascent, coast, and in-space burn phases. Notably, SpaceX removed heat-shield tiles from targeted upper-stage areas to stress-test those vulnerable sections. The flight also featured a dynamic banking maneuver during reentry, designed to emulate future Starship trajectories returning to Starbase for precision landings.
Legacy and Future Prospects
This mission marked the final flight from SpaceX’s original Pad 1(A), which will now be overhauled to accommodate the next-generation Starship Block 3 vehicles. Flight 11 served as a fitting send-off to the Block 1 and 2 Starship variants, demonstrating flawless staging, reliable engine performance, and successful reentry techniques. The mission’s success brings SpaceX closer to routinely returning Starship to its launch site, a key step toward their long-term goals of lunar and Mars missions.
Overall, the SpaceX Starship 11th test flight confirmed critical advancements in reusable rocket technology, setting a strong foundation for upcoming flights from the upgraded Pad 2(B) and future iterations of Starship.