SpaceX is gearing up for a major event in its Starship program. The company is scheduled to launch its Starship-Super Heavy rocket from Starbase, Texas, on Monday evening. This Flight 11 marks the 11th test of the integrated Starship launch vehicle and will be the last mission for the Version 2 rocket, as well as the final launch from the current Pad A configuration.
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The launch is targeted for 6:15 p.m. CDT (7:15 p.m. EDT / 2315 UTC). Spaceflight Now plans to provide live coverage starting roughly two hours before liftoff. On Sunday evening, SpaceX reported that the weather conditions were 80 percent favorable for Flight 11, though the company did not specify detailed constraints.
This mission will utilize the Super Heavy booster B15. This booster is making its second flight, following a previous launch and catch during Flight 8 in March. B15 is the third booster that SpaceX has successfully caught using the launch tower at Pad A, known as ‘Mechazilla.’ For Flight 11, 24 of the 33 Raptor 2 engines on B15 will be reused.
Key Features of Flight 11 Mission
About 2.5 minutes after liftoff, Starship S38 will separate from B15 using a hot-staging maneuver. The booster will then perform a new engine configuration for the landing burn. The plan is to start with 13 middle and center engines and then reduce down to five engines instead of the previous three. SpaceX has explained that this adjustment provides additional redundancy in case of an engine shutdown, improving safety during landing.
The Flight 11 mission will also include eight steel structures that simulate the size and mass of future Starlink Version 3 satellites. These Starlink simulators will follow a suborbital trajectory and end up in the Indian Ocean. In addition, SpaceX will attempt a relight of one of the sea-level Raptor engines during the coast phase of S38. This will demonstrate the vehicle’s ability to deorbit safely and to adjust its orbit before deploying a payload.
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The booster B15 is set to attempt a water landing off the coast of Australia more than an hour after liftoff. SpaceX has intentionally removed heat shield tiles on the rocket to study stress points during flight. The company will also test specific flight maneuvers that will be important for future orbital missions. This includes a dynamic banking maneuver during the final phase of S38’s trajectory to mimic a future return path to Starbase. Subsonic guidance algorithms will be tested before the rocket performs its splashdown during Flight 11.
Transition to Version 3 and New Launch Operations
This Flight 11 mission will be SpaceX’s last Starship launch for 2025. After Flight 11, the company will focus on completing the Version 3 Starship. Version 3 is designed to perform orbital launches and recoveries, marking a significant step forward for the program.
SpaceX is also shifting operations to Pad B, which has been under construction for nearly two years. A major addition at this new site is a traditional flame trench, which was not part of the original Pad A design. Pad B is expected to support future launches, including orbital missions.
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Version 3 is planned to conduct at least one suborbital flight before attempting an orbital launch. Data collected during Flight 11 will be crucial for understanding flight dynamics, booster recovery, and payload deployment under real conditions. The final Flight 11 mission provides insight into the maneuvers and engineering solutions needed for future orbital flights.
Flight 11 represents a key milestone in the Starship program. It demonstrates SpaceX’s ongoing efforts to refine rocket technology, recover boosters, and prepare for more advanced missions. With this launch, the company concludes testing for Version 2 and moves closer to operational flights with Version 3.
