SpaceX is targeting May 19, 2026, for the debut launch of its Starship V3 rocket from Launch Pad 2 at Starbase, Texas. This uncrewed test flight, designated Flight 12, marks the first use of the upgraded Starship and Super Heavy booster with significant design improvements, including new Raptor 3 engines, an enhanced heat shield configuration, and a redesigned launch infrastructure capable of supporting future stage catches. Unlike previous flights, this mission will not attempt to catch either stage, with Booster 19 set to splash down in the Gulf of Mexico and Ship 39 landing in the Indian Ocean.

The Raptor 3 engines offer increased thrust and reduced mass, with sea-level variants now producing 250 metric tons of thrust and vacuum engines reaching 275 metric tons. Engine mass has been reduced by over 100 kg per unit, contributing to overall vehicle efficiency. Sensors and controllers are now internally integrated, eliminating the need for external shrouds. During ascent, SpaceX will test a new hot-staging method that exposes the forward dome of the booster’s fuel tank, protected by a non-structural steel layer.

Ship 39 will deploy 22 Starlink test satellites, including two equipped with sensors to scan the vehicle’s heat shield during reentry. One tile has been intentionally removed to study aerodynamic effects, a critical step toward certifying Starship for rapid reuse. This flight is vital for NASA’s Artemis program, as future missions depend on in-space propellant transfer—a capability this iteration is designed to eventually demonstrate.