SpaceX will test the Starship V3, the new version of its megacraft for lunar missions.
Preparation for refueling in space.
The flight will again be suborbital, as in previous tests. Both the Super Heavy booster and the Ship will attempt to complete the mission with controlled landings in the ocean.
During the mission, the ship will deploy 20 simulated Starlink satellites and two real satellites equipped with special cameras to analyze the behavior of the thermal shield.
SpaceX will conduct the first launch of the Starship V3 on May 21, the new version of its reusable megacraft. The test represents one of the most important steps for the company's space plans led by Elon Musk and also for the lunar program Artemis from NASA.
The launch is scheduled from the Starbase base in Texas, and the launch window will begin at 7:30 PM Argentina time. This will be the 12th flight of the Starship system and the official debut of the V3 version, which incorporates multiple technical changes and more power.
The Starship V3 measures 124 meters in height and is even larger and more powerful than previous versions, which were already considered the largest built to date.
The new generation incorporates Raptor V3 engines, with 33 thrusters in the Super Heavy booster and another six in the upper ship. According to SpaceX, the redesign improves power, simplifies the structure, and accelerates various maneuvers in flight.
Among the main new features are:
New fuel transfer system.
Fewer control fins on the booster.
Reusable separation ring.
Improvements in propulsion and control systems.
Increased fuel capacity.
Additionally, this will be the first time SpaceX uses the second launch platform at Starbase, designed to accelerate fuel loading and improve recovery operations.
NASA chose a version of the Starship to take astronauts to the lunar surface during the Artemis 4 mission, currently scheduled for late 2028.
However, the system still needs to overcome several stages before reaching that goal. So far, none of the tests have managed to reach low Earth orbit, and SpaceX still needs to demonstrate complex maneuvers such as in-space refueling.
The company will also need to incorporate life support systems and adapt the ship for long-duration crewed flights.
The debut of the Starship V3 comes at a sensitive time for SpaceX. The company is preparing for its IPO, and various analysts are closely monitoring the project's progress, considered central to the future of the company.
A significant failure could cause technical delays and affect the timelines set for the Artemis program. It could also impact SpaceX's valuation, as Starship will be the basis for future missions to the Moon, Mars, and satellite launches.
Despite this, Elon Musk has expressed confidence in the continuity of the program. As he posted on X, SpaceX already has about ten new ships and several additional boosters in production to accelerate the development of the system.
