SpaceX's Starship makes a dramatic splash! Witness the charred spacecraft's ocean landing after a triumphant Flight Test 11.
A breathtaking video has emerged, capturing the awe-inspiring moments of the Starship's descent during its recent launch. On October 13, 2025, the 397-foot-tall rocket embarked on its eleventh test flight from SpaceX's Starbase in South Texas. This mission marked the final journey for the current Super Heavy booster and Ship upper stage configuration, as a taller version is poised to take center stage for the upcoming Starship flight 12.
Flight Test 11 surpassed expectations, outperforming its predecessor in every way. SpaceX shared footage revealing a remarkably resilient spacecraft, showcasing minimal damage and discoloration compared to Flight 10. The mission accomplished all objectives, from launch to booster descent and splashdown, and the Ship's successful landing in the Indian Ocean.
But here's where it gets controversial: this flight deviated from the previous mission profile. The spacecraft executed variations in engine burn profiles, a critical preparation for the rocket's upcoming upgrade. And this is the part most people miss: the upper stage's landing burn was a unique maneuver, mimicking the approach required for a return to the launch site. SpaceX's innovative 'chopsticks' tower is designed to catch and secure the Starship during this challenging landing sequence.
The SpaceX recovery team, equipped with drones and buoys, captured the Starship's graceful descent through the clouds. The video showcases the rocket's innovative flip-and-burn landing technique, a maneuver that rotates the spacecraft from a bellyflop position to an upright stance, ensuring a controlled and stable landing.
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Written by Josh Dinner, a seasoned space journalist and photographer, who has been covering NASA's commercial spaceflight partnerships and crewed missions since 2016. His work extends to NASA science missions and beyond. When not reporting, Josh enjoys building scale model rockets and spacecraft. Follow his captivating launch photography on Instagram and his website, and connect with him on X for haiku-filled updates.
