SpaceX Conducts First Test Flight of Starship V3

SpaceX successfully launched its upgraded Starship V3 on May 22, 2026, from Starbase, Texas, marking the twelfth test flight in the Starship program. The 408-foot-tall rocket, equipped with 33 Raptor 3 engines, lifted off at 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

During ascent, one of the booster's engines shut down, yet the vehicle continued its flight. The Super Heavy booster performed a flip maneuver but failed to execute a full boost-back burn, resulting in its descent into the Gulf of Mexico. This outcome was anticipated, as SpaceX did not plan to recover the booster for this test.

The upper-stage Ship achieved its planned trajectory despite losing one of its six engines. Approximately 30 minutes after liftoff, it deployed 20 Starlink simulators and two modified Starlink satellites. These modified satellites captured images of the Ship in space.

Upon re-entry, the Ship gathered data on its heat shield's performance and executed maneuvers to test its rear flaps, simulating future mission trajectories. The flight concluded with a splashdown in the Indian Ocean, as planned.

This test flight represents a significant step toward SpaceX's goal of developing a fully reusable spacecraft for missions to the Moon and Mars. NASA, which plans to use Starship for its Artemis lunar missions, closely monitored the flight.