SpaceX's Starship Hits Milestone Before Next-Gen Moon and Mars Missions. SpaceX has successfully launched and landed its 11th Starship rocket, marking the final test before the company debuts a next-generation version of the vehicle designed for Moon and Mars missions. The massive two-stage rocket lifted off from Texas Monday evening. After sending the Starship upper stage to orbit, its Super Heavy booster made a soft water landing in the Gulf of Mexico before self-destructing — part of an engine configuration test. Starship then re-entered the atmosphere, testing heat shield tiles, before splashing down near Australia. NASA's acting chief Sean Duffy called the mission "another major step" toward returning Americans to the lunar surface. The upgraded Starship, expected to fly by year's end, will carry new docking systems and refueling tech — critical for deep-space travel. The program is central to NASA's Artemis mission and the U.S. race against China to return to the Moon. Instructions: THIS VIDEO MUST NOT BE EDITED FOR LENGTH TO COMBINE WITH OTHER CONTENT