Mon Oct 13 10:40:00 UTC 2025: **SpaceX Gears Up for Final Starship V2 Flight, Eyes Orbital Launches in the Future**

**Starbase, Texas** – SpaceX is preparing for the 11th flight test of its Starship-Super Heavy rocket from Starbase, Texas, scheduled for Monday evening at 6:15 p.m. CDT (7:15 p.m. EDT / 2315 UTC). This mission marks the end of the Version 2 iteration of the rocket and the current configuration of Pad A.

The flight, designated Starship Flight 11, will utilize the Super Heavy booster B15, making its second flight after a successful launch and catch during Flight 8 in March. SpaceX plans to reuse 24 of the 33 Raptor 2 engines on B15. A key objective includes testing a new five-engine configuration during the booster’s aquatic landing burn, designed to enhance redundancy for future iterations.

Like Flight 10, the mission will deploy eight simulated Starlink V3 satellites, destined for the Indian Ocean. Additionally, SpaceX will attempt to relight a Raptor engine during Starship’s coast phase, demonstrating future deorbiting and orbit-raising capabilities. The Starship (S38) is slated for a water landing in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of Australia, over an hour after liftoff.

The flight will incorporate intentional removal of heat shield tiles for stress analysis and test flight maneuvers mimicking future Starbase landings. SpaceX plans to finalize Starship Version 3, intended for orbital launches and recoveries, after this flight. The company will also transition operations to the newly constructed Pad B, featuring a traditional flame trench. William Gerstenmaier, SpaceX VP of Build and Flight Reliability, said SpaceX plans to launch at least one suborbital flight of Starship Version 3 before attempting an orbital flight.

This flight is anticipated to be the final Starship launch of 2025, paving the way for significant advancements in the program’s pursuit of orbital capabilities.

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