SpaceX successfully carried out its eleventh Starship test launch on Monday evening, marking the second consecutive flight in which the company achieved every planned mission objective.
This launch also represents the final flight of the V2 Starship rocket. The upcoming twelfth test flight will feature the larger V3 Starship, followed by V4, which is intended for the first mission to Mars.
Liftoff of Starship! pic.twitter.com/sbfmGAEPa6
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) October 13, 2025
The mission was a resounding success. During this flight, SpaceX accomplished all major objectives, including the second deployment of Starlink satellite simulators and the successful relight of a Raptor engine in orbit.
The Starship lifted off from Starbase, Texas, at 6:23 p.m. local time, with all 33 engines firing as planned. Stage separation occurred just over eight minutes later, and the Super Heavy booster safely descended back to the Gulf of Mexico, completing the first stage of the mission.
About twenty-one minutes after launch, the Starlink simulators were deployed from the Pez-style dispenser without issue.
Starship has successfully deployed our @Starlink simulators pic.twitter.com/muNMalZkbT
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) October 13, 2025
One of the most closely watched portions of the flight was the banking maneuver and subsequent splashdown in the Indian Ocean. Previous Starship launches had experienced failures during this phase, but SpaceX has made significant improvements. Both the approach and splashdown for Starship 11 were executed flawlessly.
Splashdown confirmed! Congratulations to the entire SpaceX team on an exciting eleventh flight test of Starship! pic.twitter.com/llcIvNZFfg
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) October 14, 2025
During re-entry, the heatshield was deliberately stressed to assess its durability under extreme conditions, providing critical data for future missions.
Looking ahead, SpaceX will shift focus to the V3 Starship, which is larger and more capable, allowing the company to gather further insights on spacecraft performance. CEO Elon Musk has stated that the third-generation Starship rocket is expected to be built and tested by the end of this year.
SpaceX unveils Starship V3, the rocket built to finally reach MARS
— RT (@RT_com) October 14, 2025
The new design features Raptor 3 engines and massive grid fins
Musk says it’s leaner, meaner, and READY for Mars pic.twitter.com/Wj8fBuXPIa