SpaceX completed its 11th full-scale Starship test flight on Monday, marking what may be the program's most successful mission to date. The spacecraft traveled halfway around the world from South Texas to the Indian Ocean with minimal damage upon reentry. This achievement follows a challenging year of failures and highlights improvements in the heat shield.
SpaceX's Starship program has seen mixed results in 2025, with early successes in reusing the Super Heavy booster but setbacks from four Starship destructions in flight and on the ground during the first half of the year. The last two missions, however, ended with pinpoint splashdowns in the Indian Ocean. The most recent test on Monday represented a significant milestone, as the stainless steel spacecraft returned through the atmosphere showing little visible damage, indicating that enhancements to the heat shield are effective.
This flight was the 11th full-scale test of the Super Heavy booster and Starship upper stage, launching from South Texas and concluding with a splashdown in the Indian Ocean. It followed a rough start to the year, including a series of failures and explosions that delayed progress by at least six months. The August test also achieved a successful splashdown but resulted in a damaged heat shield, unlike this near-pristine return.
The mission closed out testing for the second-generation Starship, known as Starship V2. SpaceX plans to introduce the larger, more powerful Starship V3 in early 2026. If development continues smoothly, the company could attempt land-based recovery of Starship next year, advancing toward full reusability.