SpaceX Starship V3's first test flight was largely successful
SpaceX successfully conducted the first test flight of its Starship V3, achieving most of its objectives despite some engine failures. The launch vehicle lost one of its engines during ascent but still managed to deploy its payload of Starlink satellites. Elon Musk praised the team's efforts, highlighting the flight as a significant milestone for the company ahead of its upcoming IPO.
- ▪SpaceX launched Starship V3 from Starbase, Texas, on May 22, 2026.
- ▪The vehicle lost one engine during ascent but continued to its planned trajectory.
- ▪The upper stage deployed 20 Starlink simulators and two modified satellites successfully.
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News SpaceX Starship V3's first test flight was largely successful The launch vehicle lost some engines, but it was still able to achieve most of its goals. By Mariella Moon May 23, 2026 5:40 am EST SpaceX SpaceX has flown Starship V3 for the first time in a test flight that met most of its goals. The company had to step down from a launch attempt on the evening of May 21, Thursday, due to a technical issue. Specifically, a hydraulic pin holding the spacecraft's tower arm in place would not retract. But on Friday night, nothing prevented SpaceX from launching the upgraded version of its spacecraft designed for journeys to the moon and Mars.
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