Starship‘s Pioneering era Concludes with 11th Test Flight, Paving Way for Next-Generation Rocket
BOCA CHICA, TEXAS – SpaceX is concluding the initial testing phase of its Starship program today with the 11th integrated flight test of the massive launch vehicle. This flight marks the end of operations for Starship Version 2, which is retiring after achieving, at best, a 40 percent success rate across its eleven launches. The mission is designed to gather crucial data for future landings and features a “dynamic banking maneuver” and testing of subsonic guidance algorithms before a controlled splashdown in the Indian Ocean approximately 66 minutes after liftoff.
The flight is the final Starship launch planned for 2024 as SpaceX prepares for the debut of Starship Version 3 in early 2026. The next-generation rocket will boast upgraded Raptor engines, larger propellant tanks, and, critically, the capability for in-orbit refueling – a vital step for missions to the Moon and Mars.
This transition will also see the activation of SpaceX’s second launch pad at Starbase, featuring a flame trench to redirect engine exhaust, a departure from the current elevated launch mount design. The existing launch complex will be modified to support both Starship V3s, aiming to increase flight frequency.
NASA is relying on this increased flight rate to advance SpaceX’s $4 billion+ contract to develop a human-rated lunar lander for the Artemis program. Achieving a sustained launch cadence – potentially a dozen or more launches within weeks or months – is central to NASA’s lunar ambitions and is being supported by the construction of additional launch towers in Texas and a new factory in Florida.
While reusable Starship landings are a key goal, the program’s immediate focus remains demonstrating in-orbit refueling. This capability is essential for long-duration space travel and is expected to be tested next year, contingent on a smoother introduction for Starship V3 than its predecessor experienced.
