Tag: Flight 12
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Following Starship V3 debut, SpaceX prepares for follow up
Starship Version 3 flew for the first time this week in a mission of several firsts, performing notably better than previous version debuts, demonstrating that the upgraded vehicle remains on track to become the workhorse Super Heavy Lift Launch vehicle for SpaceX. However, some issues require resolution before SpaceX returns to booster catches. Flight 12:…
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Launch Preview: Falcon 9, Electron, and Vega C launch missions alongside Starship Flight 12
Six launches are scheduled worldwide during the next week, with the 12th flight of SpaceX’s Starship serving as the headline. Outside of Starship, SpaceX is scheduled to launch three Starlink missions on Falcon 9 from the company’s launch facilities in California and Florida. Internationally, Avio launched the joint European and Chinese SMILE mission atop a…
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SpaceX targets May 19 for debut of Starship Version 3, Launch Pad 2
SpaceX’s first Starship V3 rocket stands at Launch Pad 2 prior to a fueling demonstration on Monday, May 11, 2026. Image: SpaceX SpaceX is now targeting no earlier than Tuesday, May 19, for the long awaited debut of the third major iteration of its Starship-Super Heavy rocket. The announcement came the day after it completed…
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SpaceX aims for mid-May Starship Flight 12 launch with revised trajectory
The return of Starship launches may be just weeks away, with notices for the upcoming Flight 12 launch attempt publishing notification for windows opening as early as May 12. The move signals accelerating preparations for the first orbital test flight of the upgraded Version 3 Starship and Super Heavy vehicles, although engineers will have several…
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SpaceX continues refinements at Starbase Pad 2 ahead of Booster 19 return
SpaceX’s Pad 2 at Starbase is continuing to refine its preparations for the return of Booster 19, with deluge testing and even load testing the Ship Quick Disconnect (SQD) arm. This time, Flight 12’s booster will be sporting its full complement of 33 engines, with the subsequent Static Fire test the biggest milestone for the…
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Booster 19 concludes initial test campaign on Pad 2
Starship Flight 12 took another step toward launch, with Booster 19 completing an initial test campaign on the newly commissioned Pad 2 at Starbase, Texas. Culminating in a short Static Fire test, the series of tests was a first for Pad 2, the Block 3/V3 Super Heavy Booster, and for the upgraded Raptor 3 outside…
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Starship Flight 12: Ship 39 moving through preflight test objectives
Progress on the path to Flight 12 continues to be focused on testing at Massey’s test site at Starbase, with Ship 39 passing multiple cryoloading objectives. The testing follows Booster 19’s successful “proofing” at Massey’s, setting the stage for another major milestone, booster rollout and Static Fire testing on Pad 2. Following its rollout from…
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Starbase Pad 2 prepares to receive Booster 19 ahead of Block 3 milestones
SpaceX conducted a successful full test of the water-cooled top deck on the Orbital Launch Mount (OLM) at Pad 2 on Monday, marking a significant milestone in preparing the facility to handle the immense thrust of 33 Raptor 3 engines on the next-generation Super Heavy Booster. The test demonstrated the system’s ability to manage extreme…
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SpaceX complete Booster 19 testing at upgraded Massey’s
In a welcome return to active flight vehicle testing after setbacks and facility upgrades, SpaceX made strong progress with Super Heavy Booster 19 (B19) at its Massey’s test site before returning it to Mega Bay 1 for engine installation. The Block 3 booster, earmarked for the upcoming integrated Flight 12 paired with Ship 39, has…
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The future of Starship’s Pad 1 tower and launch mount
With the last Block 2 flight lifting off on Oct. 14th, 2025, SpaceX has no more need for Pad 1’s current infrastructure. However, Pad 1 still has a significant future ahead; it is undergoing major rework and redesign that will enable it to accommodate Block 3 launches, resembling Pad 2, but without starting entirely from…