SpaceX is set to launch the 11th test flight of its revolutionary Starship megarocket on Monday evening, October 13. This exciting event will take place at SpaceX's Starbase facility in South Texas, during a 75-minute launch window that opens at 7:15 p.m. EDT (2315 GMT; 6:15 p.m. local time). For those eager to witness the liftoff live, you can tune in on this page, courtesy of SpaceX, or check out our Starship Flight 11 live updates page for the latest information.
SpaceX's Starship Flight 11 is scheduled for liftoff on Monday, October 13, with a targeted launch time of 7:15 p.m. EDT (2315 GMT). However, the launch window extends until 8:30 p.m. EDT (0030 GMT), allowing for some flexibility. In the event that Monday’s launch is postponed, SpaceX has designated backup launch dates for Tuesday, October 14, and Wednesday, October 15, to ensure the mission proceeds smoothly.
For those looking to experience Starship Flight 11 live, there are several options available. SpaceX will stream the launch on its X account, the Starship Flight 11 mission page, and the X TV app. Coverage is expected to commence roughly 30 minutes before liftoff, starting at 6:45 p.m. EDT (2245 GMT). Additionally, Space.com will provide a simulcast of the SpaceX stream on our homepage and YouTube channel.
If you prefer a more extensive livestream experience, consider tuning into NASASpaceflight's webcast on YouTube, which will begin around 4:15 p.m. EDT (2015 GMT) and include live commentary during key preflight activities.
If you’re in the vicinity, you can also watch the launch in person. While SpaceX doesn’t have an official viewing site for the public, locations such as the Cameron County Amphitheater in Isla Blanca Park on South Padre Island offer clear views of the launch pad. Be sure to arrive early, as traffic tends to be heavy leading up to a Starship launch.
If all goes according to plan, Starship Flight 11 will last just over an hour. The mission will closely resemble the successful Flight 10, with both the Super Heavy booster and Starship scheduled for ocean landings. Notably, there will be no chopsticks catch of the Super Heavy booster this time around.
Flight 11 aims to build on the successes of Flight 10, gathering critical data for the next-generation Super Heavy booster. The mission will also stress-test Starship's heat shield and demonstrate maneuvers mimicking the upper stage's final approach for future returns to the launch site. The Super Heavy booster from Flight 11 has already completed Flight 8 on March 6, successfully returning to Starbase.
The primary goal for the Super Heavy booster during Flight 11 is to test a new landing-burn strategy for the next iteration of Starship, expected to debut early next year. This updated strategy involves igniting 13 engines at the start of the landing burn, transitioning to five engines for the divert phase, and finally using the three center engines for a full hover before landing in the Gulf of Mexico.
During this mission, the upper stage, referred to as Ship, will deploy eight payloads (dummy versions of SpaceX's Starlink satellites) into suborbital space approximately 18.5 minutes after liftoff. Additionally, Ship will reignite one of its six Raptor engines in space, demonstrating capabilities essential for future missions to the Moon and Mars.
Flight 11 will also rigorously test Ship's heat shield and other reentry systems, gathering data necessary for future chopstick catches of the upper stage. To stress-test vulnerable areas of the vehicle, certain tiles have been intentionally removed from Starship. The mission's final phase includes a dynamic banking maneuver and the testing of subsonic guidance algorithms before a planned splashdown in the Indian Ocean.
In case Starship Flight 11 cannot launch on October 13, SpaceX has two backup days scheduled: Tuesday, October 14, and Wednesday, October 15. The launch windows on these days are expected to mirror the Monday timeline, though this will be confirmed by SpaceX closer to the date.
Stay tuned for updates as we approach this groundbreaking launch, and make sure to catch all the action live!
