The successful test flight of Starship V3, even with engine hiccups, shows progress toward lunar and orbital missions, useful context for a space enthusiast following the journey to Mars.
Starship V3 Soars on First Flight Story flow and key facts
SpaceX successfully launched the first Starship V3 on May 22, 2026, in a suborbital test flight designated Flight 12. The launch followed a one-day delay due to a hydraulic pin failure on the launch tower. The vehicle lifted off from Starbase, Texas, powered by 33 Raptor 3 engines on the Super Heavy booster, though one engine shut down early in ascent. Stage separation occurred as planned, but the booster's boostback burn failed due to limited engine ignition, leading to a hard splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico at nearly 1,500 km/h.
The Starship upper stage experienced an additional engine failure but compensated by extending burn time on the remaining five engines. It reached a suborbital trajectory within expected parameters, opened its payload bay, and deployed 20 Starlink mass simulators and two test spacecraft named 'Dodger Dogs.' These carried components for future Starlink V3 satellites and cameras to inspect the heat shield. A planned engine relight test was skipped, but reentry and splashdown in the Indian Ocean proceeded as intended, with the vehicle tipping over and exploding post-landing.
This flight marked the debut of significant upgrades to both stages and a new launch pad, all aimed at improving reliability for future orbital missions. SpaceX intends to use Starship V3 for Starlink deployments and NASA’s Artemis lunar lander program. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, present at the launch, congratulated the team, highlighting expectations for an orbital rendezvous in 2027. The company has not yet announced a timeline for the next flight but previously stated orbital payload missions could begin in the second half of 2026.
Facts
- SpaceX launched the first Starship V3 on May 22, 2026, from Starbase, Texas, in a mission designated Flight 12.
- One of 33 Raptor 3 engines on the Super Heavy booster failed early, and the boostback burn failed, leading to a hard splashdown at nearly 1,500 km/h.
- One of six Starship upper-stage engines failed, but the vehicle compensated and reached a near-nominal suborbital trajectory.
- Starship deployed 20 Starlink mass simulators and two test spacecraft called 'Dodger Dogs' with cameras and future satellite components.
- The vehicle skipped a planned engine relight but survived reentry and soft-splashed in the Indian Ocean, then exploded as expected.
- NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman attended the launch and expressed support for upcoming Artemis 3 orbital plans.
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