In an 11th successful Starship launch and splashdown, SpaceX inched closer to many of its longterm goals on the Moon and Mars.

During the spacecraft's entry over the Indian Ocean, SpaceX conducted a series of tests as practice for future landings back at the launch site.

SpaceX completed an hour-long Starship test flight — the last mission for the troubled V2 prototype that has failed several times this year.

The update, shared in a series of photos Sept. 17 on social media, comes days after SpaceX recently tested the lower stage rocket booster, known as Super Heavy, at its Starbase facility. While it's unclear just when Starship could get off the ground again ...

SpaceX boss Elon Musk eventually hopes to use a fleet of Starship rockets to establish a permanent human colony on Mars, with the first human flights expected to take place as early as 2029, according to the tech billionaire. The latest Starship launch will be live streamed on SpaceX’s website, as well as on its official X page.