Starship Moves to the Pad at Starbase Ahead of Eleventh Flight Test
In a major step toward its next test milestone, SpaceX has rolled its fully stacked Starship to the launch pad at Starbase, Texas, signaling that preparations for the eleventh integrated flight test are officially underway.
The massive stainless-steel rocket — the most powerful launch vehicle ever built — was spotted being transported to the orbital launch mount early Friday morning, accompanied by a convoy of support vehicles and engineers. The move comes just weeks after SpaceX completed a series of engine tests on both the Super Heavy booster and the upper-stage Starship prototype, paving the way for what could be the most ambitious test flight yet.
Flight 11 is expected to validate key design upgrades in both stages, including improvements in heat shield tiles, flight control software, and the next-generation Raptor 3 engines. The new engines promise higher thrust and better thermal management, crucial for ensuring long-duration burns and engine reusability — a cornerstone of SpaceX’s long-term Mars mission goals.
Unlike earlier tests that focused primarily on achieving orbit and controlled reentry, Flight 11 will push deeper into refining recovery operations. While the company has not confirmed if this test will attempt a full “catch” with the Mechazilla arms, industry insiders suggest that data gathered during the last two flights indicates SpaceX is getting close to attempting the long-awaited booster catch maneuver.
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk recently hinted on X (formerly Twitter) that the team has implemented “major upgrades” to the Starship’s structure and avionics, describing this vehicle as “the most flight-ready version yet.” The company has also refined propellant loading procedures and implemented new heat shield attachment methods designed to better withstand the stresses of atmospheric reentry.
If successful, Flight 11 will further cement Starship’s path toward operational readiness, including future missions for NASA’s Artemis program and long-term cargo and crew transport to Mars.
Regulatory approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is pending, but sources familiar with the process expect the license to be granted soon. With rollout complete, static fire testing and final checkouts could occur within days, potentially setting up a launch window later this month.
Starship’s eleventh flight represents not just another test — but a crucial step in SpaceX’s mission to make fully reusable, rapidly launchable rockets a reality. As the world’s eyes turn once again to Boca Chica, anticipation is building for what could be one of the most defining launches in the history of modern rocketry.
