SpaceX has transported its newest Starship upper stage to the launch pad at its Starbase facility in South Texas, a key step in preparing for the vehicle's eleventh test flight. The company confirmed the move with a series of photographs published on September 17, showing the spacecraft being positioned by the launch tower's large mechanical arms.
Key Takeaways
- SpaceX moved the Starship upper stage for Flight 11 to the launch pad for pre-flight testing.
- The upcoming mission follows the successful Flight 10, where both the booster and upper stage met their objectives.
- Flight 11 is planned as the final test for the current Starship Version 2 design.
- The company will transition to testing Starship Version 3, a taller and more advanced vehicle, after this flight.
Preparations at Starbase
SpaceX documented the recent progress at its South Texas launch site, sharing images of the massive, stainless-steel spacecraft. The photos show the 171-foot-tall (52-meter) upper stage, known as Ship, being carefully maneuvered into place by the launch tower's integrated arms, often called "chopsticks."
With the vehicle now on the pad, SpaceX is expected to begin a series of critical ground tests. These procedures typically include pressurization checks and static fire tests of the vehicle's Raptor engines to ensure all systems are functioning correctly before launch. The Super Heavy booster, which forms the first stage of the rocket, will undergo a similar qualification process.
What is Starship?
Starship is SpaceX's fully reusable transportation system designed to carry both crew and cargo to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars, and beyond. The system consists of two parts: the Super Heavy booster and the Starship upper stage spacecraft.
Building on Recent Success
The upcoming test flight builds on the momentum from Flight 10, which launched on August 26. According to SpaceX, that mission was a complete success, achieving all of its primary objectives. It marked a significant milestone for the development program.
During the tenth flight, the Super Heavy booster successfully completed its burn and performed a soft splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico. The Starship upper stage continued to its target destination, achieving a controlled splashdown in the Indian Ocean. In a first for the program, the vehicle also deployed eight dummy Starlink satellites during its flight, demonstrating a key payload capability.
"Flight 10 was a complete success, according to SpaceX; both Super Heavy and Ship hit their splashdown targets... and the upper stage deployed eight dummy versions of SpaceX's Starlink satellites ā a first for a Starship flight."
This successful outcome was a notable turnaround after the previous three test flights ended with the premature loss of the upper stage. A target launch date for Flight 11 has not yet been announced by the company.
The End of an Era: Transition to Version 3
SpaceX founder Elon Musk has indicated that Flight 11 will be the final mission for the second major iteration of the Starship vehicle, known as Version 2. Following this flight, the company plans to shift its focus to testing and developing Starship Version 3.
The next-generation vehicle is set to be even larger than its predecessor. Version 3 is expected to stand approximately 408 feet (124.4 meters) tall when fully stacked, making it about 10 feet (3 meters) taller than the current Version 2 configuration. This increase in size is part of the ongoing evolution of the rocket's design to enhance its capability.
Starship V2 vs. V3
- Version 2 Height: ~398 feet (121 meters)
- Version 3 Height: ~408 feet (124.4 meters)
- Key Difference: Version 3 represents an upgraded design intended to bring the system closer to its operational goals.
Long-Term Vision for Mars Colonization
The rapid pace of Starship's development is directly linked to SpaceX's primary long-term objective: establishing a human settlement on Mars. Each test flight, whether successful or not, provides crucial data that informs design changes and brings the company closer to a reliable, reusable interplanetary transport system.
According to Musk, if the development and testing of Starship Version 3 proceed as planned, a small fleet of uncrewed Starships could potentially be launched toward Mars as early as next year. Such a mission would be a foundational step in realizing the goal of making humanity a multi-planetary species.
The iterative test campaign, which involves building, flying, and learning from each vehicle, remains central to SpaceX's strategy for achieving this ambitious vision.