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SpaceX's Starship V3 Set for Launch After Seven-Month Hiatus

SpaceX's Starship V3 Set for Launch After Seven-Month Hiatus

SpaceX is preparing to launch its upgraded Starship V3 rocket on May 19, 2026, from its Starbase headquarters in Texas. This will be the 12th flight of the Starship series, following a seven-month gap since the last test flight. The new version of the rocket, which is four feet taller than its predecessor, features significant redesigns aimed at enhancing its power and reusability. The upgrades include more powerful Super Heavy boosters and Raptor engines, designed to provide greater thrust and carry more fuel for extended missions. The upcoming launch is part of SpaceX's efforts to meet NASA's requirements for the Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the moon.
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SpaceX Prepares Starship V3 Debut with Enhanced Features for Future Missions

SpaceX Prepares Starship V3 Debut with Enhanced Features for Future Missions

SpaceX Prepares Starship V3 Debut with Enhanced Features for Future Missions
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SpaceX Confirms Launch Window for Starship V3, Aiming for Moon and Mars Missions

SpaceX Confirms Launch Window for Starship V3, Aiming for Moon and Mars Missions

SpaceX Confirms Launch Window for Starship V3, Aiming for Moon and Mars Missions
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SpaceX's Starship V3 Set for Launch After Seven-Month Wait

SpaceX's Starship V3 Set for Launch After Seven-Month Wait

SpaceX's Starship V3 Set for Launch After Seven-Month Wait
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SpaceX's Starship V3 Set for May 19 Launch to Test New Design and Capabilities

SpaceX's Starship V3 Set for May 19 Launch to Test New Design and Capabilities

SpaceX is preparing for the debut launch of its Starship Version 3 (V3) on May 19, 2026, from its Starbase facility in South Texas. This launch marks a significant upgrade in the Starship's design, featuring a more powerful and resilient rocket. The V3 model includes a reduced count of three grid fins on the Super Heavy booster and a thermal protection system with 40,000 hexagonal stainless-steel tiles on the upper stage. The mission, designated as Flight 12, will deploy 22 dummy Starlink satellites to test payload delivery mechanisms. The upgraded Starbase Launch Pad 2 will be used for this mission, which is part of SpaceX's efforts to support NASA's Artemis program, aiming for rapid reuse, high flight rates, and orbital refueling for future lunar and Mars missions.
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NASA Alters Artemis III Mission to Focus on Docking Tests in Earth Orbit

NASA Alters Artemis III Mission to Focus on Docking Tests in Earth Orbit

NASA has announced a significant change in the objectives of its Artemis III mission, originally scheduled for a lunar landing in 2027. The mission will now focus on practicing docking maneuvers in Earth orbit as a preparatory step for future lunar expeditions. This decision was made in February 2026, shifting the lunar landing to Artemis IV. The Artemis III mission will involve four astronauts traveling aboard the Orion spacecraft, launched by the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. They will dock with lunar landers being developed by private companies, SpaceX and Blue Origin. The mission will also test life support systems more thoroughly than previous missions and will use a cost-saving mock-up of the Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage (ICPS) instead of a full-scale version.
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NASA Unveils Complex Plans for Artemis 3 Mission to Test Lunar Lander Operations

NASA Unveils Complex Plans for Artemis 3 Mission to Test Lunar Lander Operations

NASA has revealed new details about the upcoming Artemis 3 mission, scheduled for 2027, which will test docking operations between the Orion capsule and one or two private moon landers. This mission is a critical step towards the planned moon landing with Artemis 4. Artemis 3 will involve a crewed mission to Earth orbit, where astronauts will practice rendezvous and docking with lunar landers developed by SpaceX and Blue Origin. The mission will also involve extended time aboard the Orion spacecraft to further evaluate life support systems. NASA has announced that the Artemis 3 Space Launch System (SLS) will use a dummy spacer instead of a functional upper stage, as the mission will remain in Earth orbit.
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SpaceX Prepares for Starship V3 Launch with New Technological Advancements

SpaceX Prepares for Starship V3 Launch with New Technological Advancements

SpaceX has assembled its latest version of the Starship rocket, known as Starship Version 3, at its launch site in South Texas. This new iteration is taller and more powerful, featuring upgraded Raptor engines and a new lattice-like structure for hot staging. The Starship V3 is designed to facilitate in-orbit refueling, a critical capability for missions beyond low-Earth orbit. This version is expected to support NASA's Artemis program by serving as a lunar lander. SpaceX is targeting a launch attempt on May 19, following a delay in preparations. The fully stacked rocket stands at 408 feet, marking a new record for the tallest rocket ever built.
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SpaceX's Starship V3 Set for Debut Launch on May 19, Aiming for Lunar and Mars Missions

SpaceX's Starship V3 Set for Debut Launch on May 19, Aiming for Lunar and Mars Missions

SpaceX's Starship V3 Set for Debut Launch on May 19, Aiming for Lunar and Mars Missions
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SpaceX to Launch Starship Version 3 on May 19, Testing New Rocket Features

SpaceX to Launch Starship Version 3 on May 19, Testing New Rocket Features

SpaceX is set to launch the third major iteration of its Starship-Super Heavy rocket, known as Starship V3, on May 19, 2026. This mission, dubbed Flight 12, will be the first to launch from the newly updated Pad 2 and will feature the new Raptor 3 engines. The primary goal is to demonstrate the redesigned elements of the Starship architecture, which aim for full and rapid reuse. The mission will include a suborbital flight with controlled splashdowns for both the upper stage, Ship 39, and the first stage, Booster 19. SpaceX will also test a more complete version of its heat shield and deploy simulator Starlink satellites.
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NASA Advances Artemis III Mission Plans to Test Lunar Landing Systems

NASA Advances Artemis III Mission Plans to Test Lunar Landing Systems

NASA is expediting the development of the Artemis III mission, a critical step in its lunar exploration program. The mission, scheduled for next year, will involve a crewed flight in Earth orbit to test rendezvous and docking capabilities between NASA's Orion spacecraft and commercial landers from Blue Origin and SpaceX. This mission is a precursor to the Artemis IV mission, which aims to land astronauts on the Moon's South Pole. The Artemis III mission will utilize the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket to launch the Orion spacecraft, which will carry four crew members. The mission will focus on demonstrating critical systems needed for future lunar landings, including life support systems and docking system performance. NASA is also planning to test an upgraded heat shield during Orion's return to Earth.
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SpaceX Prepares for Debut Launch of Starship Version 3 with Enhanced Capabilities

SpaceX Prepares for Debut Launch of Starship Version 3 with Enhanced Capabilities

SpaceX Prepares for Debut Launch of Starship Version 3 with Enhanced Capabilities