SpaceX has a few tricks up its sleeve for the last Starship flight of the year

SpaceX's Flight 11 mission will test a new three-stage booster landing sequence using 13, then five, then three engines instead of jumping directly from 13 to three engines, providing better backup protection against engine failures. This flight serves as the final test before transitioning to the upgraded Starship V3 design in early 2026, which will enable orbital flights and space refueling missions to the Moon and Mars.