SpaceX Launches 11th Starship, How Did It Go?

SpaceX successfully launched its 11th Starship test in October 2025. What successes were achieved?

by Gilang Rahmatullah AkbarPublish Date 14 October 2025, 01:35 PM
SpaceX successfully launched its 11th Starship test in October 2025. What successes were achieved?

Liputan6.com, Jakarta SpaceX achieved another milestone in space exploration with the successful launch of its 11th Starship test.

This crucial mission launched on Monday, October 13, 2025, from SpaceX's Starbase facility in South Texas.

This Starship Flight 11 test had a series of ambitious objectives, according to its official website and It's X post.

The mission also aimed to deploy a Starlink simulator and test key maneuvers in space and during re-entry into Earth's atmosphere.

The launch, which took place at precisely 7:23 p.m. EDT (2323 GMT), used the booster previously flown on Flight 8, equipped with 24 Raptor engines.


The Starship 11th Launch Details

SpaceX's Starship Flight 11 test launch officially took off on Monday, October 13, 2025.

The launch took place from SpaceX's Starbase site in South Texas, with the launch window opening at 7:15 p.m. EDT.

The giant rocket finally lifted off at 7:23 p.m. EDT (2323 GMT; 6:23 p.m. Texas local time).

The vehicle used in this mission is the current Starship configuration, known as Version 2.

The booster that powered this flight had previously been tested on Flight 8 and was equipped with 24 proven Raptor engines.

This was the final launch of the Version 2 variant before SpaceX transitioned to a larger design.


SpaceX's Mission Goals

This 11th Starship mission is designed to build on the success of previous flights, particularly Flight 10, which successfully achieved all of its primary objectives on August 26.

The Super Heavy Booster's primary objective is said to be successful.

“Every major objective of the flight test was achieved, providing valuable data as we prepare the next generation of Starship and Super Heavy,” a recap of Monday’s mission on SpaceX’s website reads.

This booster is planned to land in the Gulf of Mexico, rather than returning to the launch site.

Meanwhile, the Starship upper stage has a multi-purpose target in space.

The Starship upper stage is also tasked with deploying eight Starlink simulators, which resemble the next-generation Starlink satellites.

Additionally, a single Raptor engine re-ignition is planned in space.

For the re-entry phase, heat shield tiles were deliberately removed from Starship to test vulnerable areas throughout the vehicle, followed by a dynamic banking maneuver and a landing in the Indian Ocean.


Excellent Results from Flight Test

This 11th Starship test successfully achieved all of SpaceX's objectives.

The Super Heavy Booster successfully made a controlled and on-plan landing in the Gulf of Mexico.

The Starship upper stage, known as Ship 38, also successfully completed its mission.

After conducting a Starlink payload deployment demonstration and an engine restart test, Ship 38 successfully landed in the Indian Ocean.

The landing happened one hour and six minutes after liftoff, including a crucial "dynamic banking" maneuver during the descent phase.


Future of the Starship Program

This 11th Starship launch has major implications for the future of the program.

This mission is the final one for the current version of the vehicle, Version 2, which is approximately 123 meters tall.

SpaceX is now preparing to transition to a larger variant, Version 3, which is planned to be approximately 124.4 meters tall, signaling the continued evolution of their rocket design.

Starship plays a central role in NASA's Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon.

NASA has selected Starship as the first crewed lander for this mission.

If all goes according to plan, Starship will land astronauts near the Moon's south pole on the Artemis 3 mission, scheduled for launch in 2027.

 

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