BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS — In a thrilling display of aerospace ambition, SpaceX on Monday evening launched its 11th test flight of the Starship rocket from its Starbase facility near Brownsville. The mission marks the final flight for the current “Version 2” iteration of Starship before the company transitions to a more advanced model.
Liftoff occurred at 6:24 p.m. Central Time, launching Booster B15-2 and Ship 38 on a suborbital trajectory. Over the course of about 66 minutes, the mission successfully deployed eight Starlink simulator payloads, tested engine reignition, and executed reentry maneuvers.
The Super Heavy booster conducted a controlled splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico, while the Starship upper stage reentered the atmosphere and descended to a splashdown in the Indian Ocean, northwest of Western Australia. Importantly, the mission also tested new heat shield tiles and thermal protection modifications.
This flight essentially mirrors the approach of the 10th test, but with refinements and enhancements that further validate SpaceX’s reusable launch system design.
Transitioning to Next Phase: The End of “Version 2”
With Monday’s flight, SpaceX is closing the chapter on its Block 2 / Version 2 Starship design. The company plans to roll out a new and upgraded version (often referred to as Version 3) that will include enhancements geared toward orbital refueling, greater range, and crewed lunar and Martian missions.
This test flight also marks the final use of the current Pad 1 launch tower configuration, which is slated for retrofitting to support future Starship versions.
NASA and the Artemis program are watching closely, as Starship is central to NASA’s plan for lunar missions, especially for transporting astronauts from lunar orbit down to the Moon’s surface and back.
Local & Regional Significance
For Brownsville and the Rio Grande Valley, having Starship tests so close to home underscores South Texas’s growing importance in the space industry.
The success of these flights is a point of civic pride and may continue to attract ancillary businesses, tourism, and STEM opportunities in the region.
Any future shift to further landings or orbital returns to Texas will require regulatory clearance and environmental reviews, which will involve local agencies and stakeholders.
What Comes Next
SpaceX has not announced the precise date of the next flight, but it is expected to debut Version 3 sometime in late 2025 or early 2026. The upcoming missions are likely to push further toward full orbital capability, in-space refueling, and deeper integration with NASA’s lunar and Mars goals.
Quick Facts
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Launch date/time | October 13, 2025, ~6:24 p.m. CDT |
| Rocket components | Booster B15-2 & Ship 38 |
| Mission duration | About 66 minutes |
| Payload | 8 Starlink simulators |
| Splashdown sites | Booster: Gulf of Mexico; Ship: Indian Ocean |
| Significance | Final flight of the current version before upgrade |
This success is yet another step forward for SpaceX’s long-term vision of fully reusable spacecraft carrying humans to the Moon and Mars. Brownsville — as home to Starbase — continues to be at the frontier of that journey.
Sources:
- Reuters — “SpaceX completes 11th Starship test before debuting upgraded prototype”
- San Antonio Express-News — “SpaceX launches Starship for 11th test flight from South Texas Starbase”
- Houston Chronicle — “SpaceX builds upon recent success with its 11th Starship flight test from South Texas”
- AP News — “SpaceX conducts another successful Starship test flight”
- Wikipedia — “Starship Flight Test 11”
