Live: SpaceX tests unprecedented Starship landing in the Gulf of Mexico

SpaceX conducted the 11th test flight of Starship, the world’s largest rocket, from Starbase, Texas, on Monday evening (13). The mission, starting at 8:15 PM (Brasília time), aimed to test a new landing configuration for the Super Heavy booster and advance reentry maneuvers. This was Starship’s fifth flight in 2025, following a “perfect” test in August.

The event was livestreamed to thousands of viewers on digital platforms. The mission included experiments like deploying Starlink simulators in suborbital trajectory and deliberately removing thermal tiles to assess the spacecraft’s heat shield. The flight marked another step toward full system reusability, critical for future Moon and Mars missions.

• Key mission objectives:
  • Test new landing burn with 24 reused Raptor engines.
  • Validate subsonic guidance algorithms.
  • Simulate Starbase return maneuvers.
  • Assess heat shield durability without some tiles.

SpaceX’s dynamic schedule was followed precisely, with no last-minute changes. The mission concluded with the booster’s controlled splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico and the spacecraft’s in the Indian Ocean.

New Landing Configuration

The Super Heavy booster, reused from flight 8, debuted a burn sequence starting with 13 engines, reducing to five, then three central engines. The maneuver was designed to simulate landings for next-generation boosters.

Unlike the October 2024 test, the booster did not return to the base, targeting a specific point in the Gulf of Mexico. SpaceX prioritized data collection to enhance reusability.

Space Tests

The Starship spacecraft performed multiple suborbital experiments. A single Raptor engine was reignited in a vacuum, a milestone for future missions.

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Thermal tiles were removed to test the heat shield’s resilience in vulnerable areas. Starlink simulators were deployed, replicating August’s success. Subsonic guidance algorithms were validated during reentry.

Past Advances and Challenges

In 2023, Starship faced explosions in early flights due to engine and separation failures. The third test in March 2024 lasted 50 minutes but lost contact before landing. June 2024 saw the first successful splashdown in the Indian Ocean.

The October 2024 flight achieved the first booster return and capture at Starbase. In 2025, January and March flights faced explosions, while August was a complete success.

Next Mission Steps

SpaceX plans to use this flight’s data to refine the landing system and heat shield. The company aims to certify Starship for crewed Moon missions by 2026.

Innovation History

Starship is designed to be fully reusable, capable of carrying up to 150 tons to low orbit. Since 2023, SpaceX has conducted 11 test flights, overcoming early failures and achieving milestones like controlled landings and payload deployment. The program seeks to lower launch costs and enable Mars colonies, per the company’s vision.