The recent Starship flight test, IFT-11, marked the final launch of the version 2 ship and booster. Wikipedia: Starship Flight Test 11 notes the use of booster B15 (second flight) and ship 38. This was also the last launch from the original pad with the showerhead watercooler, which proceeded smoothly based on external observations.
Some heat shield tiles were lost during launch and reentry, with a possible small explosion near the skirt section. Evidence suggests at least two burn-throughs on the belly, as captured by TheSpaceEngineer:
So yeah some amount of burnthrough on both tanks https://t.co/y5X5EuMtyX pic.twitter.com/oOXMzFLSMf
— TheSpaceEngineer () October 14, 2025
These incidents appear linked to areas where tiles were intentionally removed, near the tail and upper quarter, as shown in Starship Gazer’s photo:
Close up view of Starship 38's thermal protection system heat shield tiles during rollout today.
— Starship Gazer (@StarshipGazer) October 11, 2025
10/11/25 pic.twitter.com/dgsyHJxiN5
Significant tile loss and heat damage were observed, alongside deformed exposed metal. The bank maneuver succeeded, landing at the intended spot in the ocean. Aft flaps performed better than in prior tests. Starlink satellite deployment improved, with no issues compared to earlier flights.
It looks like SpaceX can handle a catch attempt for ship. Quick, or reusability at all, for ship is questionable at this point, with the amount of tile loss and what these intense hot spots will do to the steel structure.
It appears SpaceX solved the most pressing issues on ship and booster version 2, which makes it a perfect time to switch to version 3. With a little luck, we could see the next flight at the end of Q1 2026.
Starship Program Timeline
| Test | Date | Days Elapsed | Version Booster | Version Ship |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IFT-1 | 20.04.23 | - | V1 - B7 | V1 - S24 |
| IFT-2 | 18.11.23 | 212 | V1 - B9 | V1 - S25 |
| IFT-3 | 14.03.24 | 117 | V1 - B10 | V1 - S28 |
| IFT-4 | 06.06.24 | 84 | V1 - B11 | V1 - S29 |
| IFT-5 | 13.10.24 | 129 | V1 - B12 | V1 - S30 |
| IFT-6 | 19.11.24 | 37 | V1 - B13 | V1 - S31 |
| IFT-7 | 16.01.25 | 58 | V2 - B14(1) | V2 - S33 |
| IFT-8 | 06.03.25 | 49 | V2 - B15 | V2 - S34 |
| IFT-9 | 27.03.25 | 82 | V2 - B14(2) | V2 - S35 |
| IFT-10 | 24.08.25 | 150 | V2 - B16 | V2 - S37 |
| IFT-11 | 13.10.205 | 50 | V2 – B15(2) | V2 – S38 |
Flight Trajectory Comparison
Speed Comparison
![Speed [km_h] x Seconds [s] (4).png](https://images.ecency.com/p/5s4dzRwnVbzGY5ssnCE4wXzkeAEXyVtgk1ApQTwHMTp6y5PvEo1yenn8hhqAGvzBDX24qf7PbFVmd7GVoJpUDgT2Kqz7JfZ5jHZowAcnEGGkQhXRdtn73PyX97JJSQAg1az86KQBDsgRRig6mfi4m5JYMQSx61HjbPKSy26?format=match&mode=fit)
Altitude Comparison
![Altitude [km] x Seconds [s] (4).png](https://images.ecency.com/p/5s4dzRwnVbzGY5ssnCE4wXzkeAEXyVtgk1ApQTwHMTp6y5PvEo1yenn8hhqAGvzBDX24qf7PbFVmd7GVoKLxPY5idqeKMWF6mGxrXT4BBYYHnCCwf3KT9WDVEg2xdHktB6vXmnAVHjiK8pmyH5zbqPGhjkH1j8hmjdts4ut?format=match&mode=fit)
Change between versions
- Booster V1 + Ship V1 (IFT-3 to IFT-6):
- Average Speed @ MECO: 5,455 km/h
- Average Altitude @ MECO: 66 km
- Booster V2 + Ship V2 (IFT-7 to IFT-11):
- Average Speed @ MECO: 4,574 km/h
- Average Altitude @ MECO: 60.4 km
MECO at 160 seconds from IFT-5 to IFT-11. Ship V2’s heavier design reduces speed and altitude.
Similarity between IFT-10 and -11
Even though IFT-10 lost one engine around 95 seconds into the flight, both boosters were tracking each other extremely closely. At MECO, the difference in Speed and Altitude was only 1,2%. Before 120 seconds, the difference was smaller than 1% and often 0%.
Starship Specifications
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Stack | |
| Height | 123 m |
| Diameter | 9 m |
| Payload Capacity (Reusable) | 100–150 t |
| Starship Spacecraft | |
| Height | 52 m |
| Diameter | 9 m |
| Super Heavy Booster | |
| Height | 71 m |
| Diameter | 9 m |
Source: SpaceX Starship Overview
Remaining Milestones for Starship
- Launch: ✅
- Stage separation: ✅
- Orbit: Almost (reached orbital velocity but slightly below orbit for controlled reentry)
- Bellyflop: ✅
- Safe booster landing: ✅
- Booster reuse: ✅
- Reentry without damage: ❌ (heat tiles fell off)
- Safe ship landing: ❌
- Ship reuse: ❌
- In-orbit refueling: ❌
- Leaving low Earth orbit (LEO): ❌
- Human life support: ❌
- Moon/Mars return & landing: ❌
- Lift off from Moon/Mars: ❌
Sources: SpaceX IFT-9 Mission Overview, Wikipedia Starship Flight Test 9
Tim Dodd was lucky enough to get three guided tours around Starbase by Elon Musk:
Tour 2024:
- First Look Inside SpaceX's Starfactory w/ Elon Musk
- Join Elon Musk on a tour of Starship just before it launches! (w/ post launch interview)
Tour 2022:
- 2022 Elon Musk Explains Updates To Starship And Starbase!
- Go up SpaceX's Starship-catching robotic launch tower with Elon Musk!
- Elon Musk Explains SpaceX's Merlin Engine!
- Elon Musk Explains SpaceX's Raptor Engine!
Tour 2021:
- Starbase Tour with Elon Musk [PART 1 // Summer 2021]
- Starbase Tour with Elon Musk [PART 2 // Summer 2021]
- Starbase Launchpad Tour with Elon Musk [PART 3 // Summer 2021]
Further information
StarshipGazer.com: Useful Starship links
Background information about previous SpaceX launches: Wikipedia
FAA: SpaceX Starship Super Heavy Project at the Boca Chica Launch Site
FAA: Licensed Launches
Starship OFT flight plan
Lex Fridman: Starship: The most powerful rocket ever made | Tim Dodd and Lex Fridman
SpaceX Starship Explosive Potential, and Big Bang Theory
Tim Dodd made a video contrasting Starship V1 and V2:
What's new with Flight 7's massively upgraded Starship?!?
Tim Dodd: How SpaceX Is Upgrading Raptor To Be The Ultimate Rocket Engine!