SpaceX Tests Ship 40 With 15-Second Raptor 3 Burn Ahead of Starship Flight 13
Updated
Updated · Space.com · Jun 26
SpaceX Tests Ship 40 With 15-Second Raptor 3 Burn Ahead of Starship Flight 13
3 articles · Updated · Space.com · Jun 26
Summary
Ship 40 completed a full-duration 15-second static fire of one central Raptor 3 engine at SpaceX’s Massey test site in Starbase, Texas, marking the first major ground test for the Starship upper stage slated for Flight 13.
The burn was designed to verify engine health before launch; Ship 40 carries six Raptor 3s—three sea-level and three vacuum engines—though only one sea-level engine is used for the final landing burn.
Flight 13 is expected to advance into broader testing next, including firings of all six Ship 40 engines and all 33 engines on its Super Heavy booster, with SpaceX likely targeting a launch before summer ends.
The campaign follows Starship V3’s May 22 debut, which SpaceX called mostly successful despite booster splashdown problems, and comes as the company works toward in-space refueling needed for NASA’s Artemis moon missions.
The last Starship booster crashed. Can SpaceX fix the critical flaw in time for its ambitious summer launch target?
Declared an FAA 'mishap,' how will Starship's last flight delay NASA's high-stakes Artemis moon landing timeline?
SpaceX Starship V3 Progress Report: Flight 12 Mishap, Regulatory Delays, and Implications for Artemis and Starlink
Overview
On June 26, 2026, SpaceX achieved a major milestone by successfully conducting a single-engine static fire test of Ship 40, using a Raptor 3 engine for 15 seconds. This test verified the engine’s performance, the vehicle’s structural integrity, and propellant loading systems, confirming that all systems are operational and ready for launch. As a key step in preparing for Starship Flight 13, this static fire highlights SpaceX’s rapid testing cadence and iterative development process. Ship 40, featuring the latest V3 design enhancements, demonstrates SpaceX’s commitment to advancing reusable spaceflight through frequent, data-driven testing.