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Starship Flight 11 Marks End of Version 2 Era as Musk Makes Surprise Appearance
SpaceX successfully launched Starship Flight 11 from its Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas, on Monday evening, achieving a series of key milestones that included stage separation, an orbital coast, and controlled splashdowns in the Gulf of Mexico.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The mission marked the final flight for SpaceX’s Starship Version 2, paving the way for the debut of the Version 3 prototype, which is expected to include major upgrades in design, performance, and reusability.
The launch proceeded smoothly, with both the Super Heavy booster and the Starship upper stage completing their planned flight sequences before returning to Earth for water landings. SpaceX engineers described the test as a major step toward making Starship fully reusable, a key goal for future missions to the Moon and Mars.
In a surprise moment that thrilled viewers, Elon Musk appeared live on the official SpaceX broadcast just before liftoff. The billionaire founder and CEO, who had not been scheduled to join the stream, briefly spoke about the progress the team has made and hinted at what’s next for the Starship program.
“This marks the end of an incredible chapter,” Musk said. “Version 2 has taught us a lot about heat shield performance, flight dynamics, and reusability. Version 3 will take everything we’ve learned and push it even further.”
During the mission, SpaceX tested an upgraded heat shield designed to withstand the intense reentry conditions of orbital missions. Data collected from this flight will help refine the next generation of Starship vehicles. Early analysis suggested the new heat tiles performed significantly better than in past flights, reducing damage and improving recovery prospects.
The company also highlighted progress in engine performance and stage separation systems, both of which have been critical focus areas for SpaceX’s rapid test program. The smoother stage separation sequence in Flight 11 was seen as one of the mission’s biggest achievements, building confidence in Starship’s long-term reliability.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which oversees commercial space launches, confirmed that SpaceX had received all necessary approvals for the test. The agency will now review post-flight data to ensure compliance with safety and environmental standards.
SpaceX has been testing Starship prototypes since 2020, gradually improving the rocket’s design through a series of ambitious flight tests. The fully reusable spacecraft is intended to carry both crew and cargo to Earth orbit, the Moon, and eventually Mars.
With Flight 11 closing out the Version 2 series, attention now turns to Starship Version 3, which Musk has said could feature lighter materials, improved engines, and new recovery systems. The company aims to begin integrated flight tests of Version 3 in early 2026, following continued work on launch infrastructure at Starbase.
SpaceX’s Starship program remains a cornerstone of NASA’s Artemis missions, which plan to use a modified Starship to land astronauts on the Moon later this decade.
As Starship Flight 11 concluded with successful splashdowns and valuable data, Musk’s brief appearance served as a reminder of his hands-on involvement in SpaceX’s ambitious journey toward making space travel more affordable and sustainable.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has revealed that his push for an opposition coalition was initially rejected by members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Atiku made the disclosure during an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday, where he reflected on events following the PDP’s defeat in the 2023 presidential election. According to him, he warned party leaders after the election that the PDP could struggle politically without forming alliances with other opposition forces. “To be honest, I was one of the major initiators of this coalition. After the PDP lost the last election, I told the party clearly that I did not see a future for the PDP without a coalition,” he said. Atiku said his advice was rejected at the time, despite his conviction that Nigeria’s political history had shown the importance of alliances. “They disagreed with me then. I have studied Nigeria’s political transition over the years and saw how previous alliances worked, so it was not difficult for me to foresee this,” he stated. The former vice president added that his support for coalition politics was also influenced by his desire to encourage the emergence of younger leaders he believes are vital to Nigeria’s future. “I saw some of these younger politicians as the future leaders of this country, and I felt it was my duty to point that out,” he said. However, Atiku claimed the resistance he encountered within the party was driven more by personal feelings than by disagreement over the substance of his proposal. “They disagreed with me simply because they did not want to see my face, not because of what I was suggesting,” he said. Atiku added that recent political developments have now vindicated his position on the need for a broad opposition alliance ahead of future elections.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said the African Democratic Congress (ADC) will first pursue a consensus arrangement before considering a primary election for its 2027 presidential ticket.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Atiku made this known during an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday while discussing the party’s leadership and strategy ahead of the next general election.
He said he is open to backing a consensus candidate if that becomes the party’s collective decision, stressing that such support should not be interpreted as stepping aside.
“It is not about stepping aside, but whether I am willing to support, and yes, I will,” Atiku said.
According to him, the ADC’s first priority is to build internal unity and reach an agreement among stakeholders before considering a competitive primary process.
“Our first option will be to work out a consensus. If that doesn’t happen, then of course we will explore other options. And yes, I will support whoever eventually emerges,” he stated.
Atiku also expressed confidence in the political experience within the party, saying he believes a consensus is achievable and may make a full-scale primary contest unnecessary.
“That remains our preferred path. We will go for primaries if consensus fails, but I honestly do not expect it to get to that stage because we are dealing with mature and experienced politicians,” he added.
His comments come amid growing political consultations and coalition talks as parties begin to position themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said the opposition coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has significantly strengthened his chances of winning the 2027 presidential election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Atiku made the remarks during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme on Wednesday. Speaking on what makes his latest presidential bid different from previous attempts, Atiku said the ADC coalition brings together key political figures from across major parties, including the APC, PDP and Labour Party. He described the alliance as a broader and more strategic political arrangement ahead of the 2027 general elections. According to him, the coalition has created a stronger platform that improves his prospects. “Now, we have a broader coalition — a combination of APC, PDP and LP — which gives me a better chance of becoming president in 2027,” he said. Atiku also noted that the coalition reflects both experience and generational inclusion, which he said shows a clear succession plan. “You see people of my generation, and you see younger people coming behind us, so you can clearly see a succession pattern,” he added. Meanwhile, Atiku described former President Goodluck Jonathan as a decent but inexperienced leader. According to him, Jonathan’s lack of experience contributed to shortcomings in governance and played a role in his defeat in the 2015 presidential election. “I know Goodluck Jonathan very well. He is a decent young man, but he was also inexperienced, and that contributed to his failure in managing the affairs of the country,” Atiku said. He made the remarks while stressing the need for experienced and capable leadership in Nigeria.
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