Prepare for an Earth-Shattering Kaboom as Starship V3 Finally Takes Flight
SpaceX's Starship V3 is set to launch on May 21, 2026, a day earlier than expected. This flight test will introduce significant upgrades, including a new Raptor 3 engine and a redesigned launch pad. The mission aims to demonstrate various capabilities, including deploying mock Starlink satellites and testing the vehicle's performance.
- ▪Starship Flight Test 12 will take place during a 90-minute window starting at 6:30 p.m. Eastern on May 21, 2026.
- ▪The new Raptor 3 engine features a stripped-down design for increased efficiency and thrust.
- ▪The mission includes deploying 20 mockup Starlink satellites and testing the upper stage's re-lighting capability.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Prepare for an Earth-Shattering Kaboom as Starship V3 Finally Takes Flight Stephen Green | 9:05 AM on May 19, 2026 Promotional image courtesy of SpaceX via X. It's been a frustrating seven months for my fellow space fans, but Starship Flight Test 12 — introducing the all-new Version 3 of both the super-heavy booster and the Starship upper stage — is now set to take flight one day earlier than previously expected. Advertisement googletag.cmd.push(function () { googletag.display("div-gpt-300x250_3"); //googletag.pubads().refresh([gptAdSlot["div-gpt-300x250_3"]]) }); Liftoff is scheduled for Thursday, May 21, during a 90-minute window opening at 6:30 p.m. Eastern. SpaceX will stream the attempt in glorious 4K from more angles than a 20-sided die on its X timeline.
…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at PJ Media.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from PJ Media
