Starship Aces Final Gen 2 Flight, Paving Way for Orbital Era

Summary: SpaceX successfully completed the eleventh and final flight test of its second-generation Starship and first-generation Super Heavy booster configuration on October 13, 2025. The mission achieved all major objectives, collecting valuable data necessary for the transition to the next iteration of the launch vehicle, which is designed for operational orbital flights and interplanetary missions.

Starbase, Texas — On Monday, October 13, 2025, at 6:23 p.m. CT, the Starship launch system successfully lifted off from Starbase, Texas, marking a significant milestone in its development program. This flight test was the last utilizing the second-generation Starship, the first-generation Super Heavy booster, and the current configuration of Pad 1.

The flight commenced with the successful ignition of all 33 Raptor engines powering the Super Heavy booster as it ascended over the Gulf. Following a successful first-stage ascent, the system executed a hot-staging maneuver, where Starship’s upper stage ignited its six Raptor engines while still attached to the booster to continue its trajectory toward space. The hot-stage was jettisoned shortly thereafter.

Booster Performance and Next-Gen Testing

Following separation, the Super Heavy booster initiated its planned boostback burn, utilizing 12 of the 13 intended engines to position itself for a landing attempt off the coast of Texas. The booster successfully descended at an angle of attack matching that tested on the previous flight.

Crucially, the Super Heavy successfully executed a unique landing burn sequence designed for use on the upcoming generation of boosters. During the high-thrust portion of the landing burn, all 13 planned engines—including one that had failed to relight during the earlier boostback phase—ignited successfully. The booster then hovered briefly above the water before shutting down its engines and completing a controlled splashdown in the pre-planned zone. This final landing burn included a reduction from three engines down to two just before the conclusion of the maneuver.

Starship Objectives Met

Starship achieved its planned trajectory and velocity after completing a full-duration ascent burn. During the flight, the upper stage executed a successful deployment demonstration involving eight Starlink simulators.

A key objective achieved during the mission was the third successful in-space relight of a Raptor engine. This demonstration is vital for proving the capability required for future deorbit burns.

As Starship re-entered the atmosphere, it gathered extensive data on the performance of its heat shield, which was intentionally stressed to test the vehicle’s operational limits. In the final minutes of flight, the vehicle performed a dynamic banking maneuver intended to replicate the trajectory future missions will fly when returning to Starbase. Starship guided itself using its four flaps toward a pre-planned splashdown zone in the Indian Ocean, where it successfully performed a landing flip, a landing burn, and achieved a soft splashdown.

Focus Shifts to Future Iteration

With all major objectives of the flight test achieved, the program now pivots to the development and testing of the next generation of Starship and Super Heavy. Multiple vehicles of this new iteration are currently under active construction.

This forthcoming version of Starship is slated for deployment in the first orbital flights, operational payload missions, and critical propellant transfer tests. These steps are essential as the company iterates toward a fully and rapidly reusable vehicle intended to provide service to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars, and destinations beyond.

Information sourced from SpaceX