SpaceX unveils Starship V3 upgrades and sets up Flight 12
Updated
Updated · spaceq.ca · May 1
SpaceX unveils Starship V3 upgrades and sets up Flight 12
8 articles · Updated · spaceq.ca · May 1
The company said 3D-printed Raptor V3 engines and vehicle redesigns raise payload capacity from 35 to 100 metric tons, while a full-duration engine test succeeded on 14 April.
Its video also disclosed testing setbacks, including Booster 18's failed cryoproof test, aborts during hot fires, and engine damage that forced engineers to move Raptors from Booster 20 to Booster 19.
Flight 12 is expected to remain suborbital, while Flight 13 could attempt sustained orbit and refuelling tests, though hardware shortages and possible deluge-system issues may push parts of the schedule into Q3 2026.
With NASA betting everything on Starship, can SpaceX beat China's rival program to land astronauts on the Moon by 2028?
Are space-based AI and a city on Mars the real prize driving SpaceX's high-risk, high-reward development strategy?
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SpaceX Starship V3 Flight 12 Preparations and Challenges Ahead of May 2026 Launch
Overview
SpaceX is preparing for the critical Flight 12 of its Starship V3, scheduled for no earlier than May 12, 2026, marking a key step toward NASA's Artemis lunar missions by demonstrating in-space propellant transfer. The powerful Raptor 3 engines, delivering 280 tons of thrust each and totaling 9,240 tons, drive unprecedented demands on Starbase infrastructure, prompting ongoing expansion and ground upgrades. Development complexity has caused delays acknowledged by Elon Musk, while the FAA has authorized up to 25 annual launches, enabling a higher flight rate but also increasing regulatory scrutiny. Flight 12 aims to validate reentry and landing technologies, paving the way for Flight 13's orbital refueling demonstration essential for deep space exploration.