SpaceX Prepares to Launch New and Larger Starship Prototype

SpaceX is preparing to launch the new Starship V3 rocket developed for NASA's Moon missions to test it. This critical flight will demonstrate the rocket's reusability...

Scraper SystemMay 22, 2026, 10:39 AM

SpaceX will conduct an important flight to test the new prototype V3 of the Starship rocket, expected to be used in NASA's plans to land astronauts on the Moon. This will be Starship's 12th test flight and the first launch of the third generation, the V3 version. The V3 is slightly longer than its predecessor and has more powerful engines. The rocket will be launched from the Starbase facility at the southern tip of Texas, and the flight will last approximately 65 minutes. During the test, Starship will attempt to deploy 22 mock Starlink satellites into orbit and aims to reignite one of the upper stage engines in space. This feature is critical for the vehicle's exit from orbit during its return to Earth. With V3, SpaceX aims to take a step closer to full and rapid reusability, in-space refueling, deployment of Starlink satellites, and sending humans and cargo to the Moon and Mars. Under NASA's Artemis program, SpaceX and Blue Origin are developing new landers for the planned Moon landing in 2028. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk also announced the company's IPO plans. However, the development of Starship has been challenging; various failures occurred during last year's tests. Still, SpaceX aims to have the rocket ready for the Artemis III mission in 2027. In this mission, Starship will rendezvous in orbit with NASA's Orion capsule. Sources report that SpaceX will live stream the launch of Starship V3 and that weather conditions are 55% favorable. After launch, the rocket's lower stage will land in the Gulf of Mexico, and the upper stage will land in the Indian Ocean. SpaceX plans to make the upper stage reusable in the future and catch it with mechanical arms at its Texas facility.

SpaceX Prepares to Launch New and Larger Starship Prototype

SpaceX is preparing to launch the new Starship V3 rocket developed for NASA's Moon missions to test it. This critical flight will demonstrate the rocket's reusability...