{"id":23577,"date":"2026-03-03T17:08:55","date_gmt":"2026-03-03T09:08:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/starship-flight-12-ship-39-moving-through-preflight-test-objectives\/"},"modified":"2026-03-03T17:08:55","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T09:08:55","slug":"starship-flight-12-ship-39-moving-through-preflight-test-objectives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/starship-flight-12-ship-39-moving-through-preflight-test-objectives\/","title":{"rendered":"Starship Flight 12: Ship 39 moving through preflight test objectives"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Progress on the path to Flight 12 continues to be focused on testing at Massey\u2019s test site at Starbase, with Ship 39 passing multiple cryoloading objectives. The testing follows Booster 19\u2019s successful \u201cproofing\u201d at Massey\u2019s, setting the stage for another major milestone, booster rollout and Static Fire testing on Pad 2.\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Starship V3 Ship 39 Begins Testing \u2014 Artemis III Just Changed | Starship Update\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/dQ84Fw40nnw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen=\"\" name=\"fitvid0\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-14=\"true\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-21=\"true\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Following its rollout from Megabay 2, Ship 39 was rolled straight into the static-fire testing area, the same pad equipped with a newly installed truss structure.<\/p>\n<p>That structure, installed during recent upgrades at Massey\u2019s, is designed to apply loads to the ship\u2019s forward and aft flaps as well as its payload bay, simulating the forces a Starship would experience during a tower catch attempt by the Super Heavy booster.<br \/>\n<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-112300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NSF-2026-03-03-22-28-19-952.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1757\" height=\"984\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NSF-2026-03-03-22-28-19-952.jpg 1757w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NSF-2026-03-03-22-28-19-952-350x196.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NSF-2026-03-03-22-28-19-952-625x350.jpg 625w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NSF-2026-03-03-22-28-19-952-768x430.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NSF-2026-03-03-22-28-19-952-1170x655.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1757px) 100vw, 1757px\">The choice of stand has fueled speculation. The dedicated cryo-proof stand \u2014 which uses hydraulic rams to push upward against the ship\u2019s aft section while tanks are pressurized \u2014 remains occupied, reportedly by a previous test article.<\/p>\n<p>Full cryogenic proof testing, the critical verification that the vehicle\u2019s tanks and welds can withstand flight-like pressures without leaking or bursting, can be performed on the static-fire stand. Currently, the new thrust sim stand is not ready yet.<\/p>\n<p>SpaceX may therefore need to move the ship again later, or the company could elect to proceed directly to engine installation and static-fire testing, accepting a calculated risk after extensive ground analysis.<\/p>\n<p><iframe id=\"twitter-widget-1\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" allowtransparency=\"true\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" class=\"\" style=\"position: static; visibility: visible; width: 0px; height: 0px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;\" title=\"X Post\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/embed\/Tweet.html?creatorScreenName=NASASpaceflight&amp;dnt=true&amp;embedId=twitter-widget-1&amp;features=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%3D%3D&amp;frame=false&amp;hideCard=false&amp;hideThread=false&amp;id=2027968009785016663&amp;lang=en&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasaspaceflight.com%2F2026%2F03%2Fship-39-preflight-test-objectives%2F&amp;sessionId=fa17a7d6b67d347834f12bf223741e00f8f3cf72&amp;siteScreenName=NASASpaceflight&amp;theme=light&amp;widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&amp;width=550px\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-14=\"true\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-21=\"true\" data-tweet-id=\"2027968009785016663\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\" data-twitter-extracted-i1783492451958523337=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Right hand view shows it&#8217;s well into cryo load ops. pic.twitter.com\/73PFh9JTmE<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 NSF \u2013 NASASpaceflight.com (@NASASpaceflight) March 1, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Such caution is understandable. Massey\u2019s test complex itself is still recovering from the dramatic anomaly involving Ship 36 late last year. That incident prompted a comprehensive rebuild of both ground infrastructure and test procedures. The new truss, upgraded tank farm, and reinforced pad hardware are all part of the post-accident safety improvements.<\/p>\n<p>NASA mission patches<path d=\"M7.59009 18.59L9.00009 20L17.0001 12L9.00009 4L7.59009 5.41L14.1701 12\" style=\"animation: initial !important; background: initial !important; border: 0px !important; box-shadow: none !important; color: inherit !important; cursor: inherit !important; direction: inherit !important; display: inline !important; fill: currentcolor !important; filter: initial !important; float: none !important; margin: 0px !important; opacity: initial !important; outline: 0px !important; overflow: initial !important; padding: 0px !important; stroke: initial !important; transform: initial !important; vertical-align: initial !important; visibility: inherit !important;\"><\/path>Space Shuttle models<path d=\"M7.59009 18.59L9.00009 20L17.0001 12L9.00009 4L7.59009 5.41L14.1701 12\" style=\"animation: initial !important; background: initial !important; border: 0px !important; box-shadow: none !important; color: inherit !important; cursor: inherit !important; direction: inherit !important; display: inline !important; fill: currentcolor !important; filter: initial !important; float: none !important; margin: 0px !important; opacity: initial !important; outline: 0px !important; overflow: initial !important; padding: 0px !important; stroke: initial !important; transform: initial !important; vertical-align: initial !important; visibility: inherit !important;\"><\/path>Aerospace &amp; Defense<path d=\"M7.59009 18.59L9.00009 20L17.0001 12L9.00009 4L7.59009 5.41L14.1701 12\" style=\"animation: initial !important; background: initial !important; border: 0px !important; box-shadow: none !important; color: inherit !important; cursor: inherit !important; direction: inherit !important; display: inline !important; fill: currentcolor !important; filter: initial !important; float: none !important; margin: 0px !important; opacity: initial !important; outline: 0px !important; overflow: initial !important; padding: 0px !important; stroke: initial !important; transform: initial !important; vertical-align: initial !important; visibility: inherit !important;\"><\/path>\n<p>     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});<\/p>\n<p>Every new ship must now prove not only its own structural integrity but also that the ground systems can safely support the next generation of vehicles.<\/p>\n<p>Despite the stand mismatch, testing has already begun in earnest.<\/p>\n<p>An ambient-pressure test on the night of February 27 was followed by a full cryogenic load on the night of February 28 that continued into the early hours of March 1. A second run of testing continued the following evening.<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-112301\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NSF-2026-03-03-22-27-43-549.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1354\" height=\"971\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NSF-2026-03-03-22-27-43-549.jpg 1354w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NSF-2026-03-03-22-27-43-549-350x251.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NSF-2026-03-03-22-27-43-549-488x350.jpg 488w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NSF-2026-03-03-22-27-43-549-768x551.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NSF-2026-03-03-22-27-43-549-1170x839.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1354px) 100vw, 1354px\">The rapid progression from arrival to propellant loading suggests SpaceX engineers are confident in the vehicle\u2019s build quality and are pressing forward aggressively with the limited facilities currently available.<\/p>\n<p>Starship Flight 12 is expected to take place in the April timeframe, setting the stage for an increase in launch cadence as the program moves to demonstrate in-orbit refueling \u2014 a capability that hinges on Block 3\u2019s improved propellant capacity and docking hardware.<\/p>\n<p>Block 3 Design Overhaul: More Propellant, Smarter Structures:<\/p>\n<p>Ship 39\u2019s rollout provided the clearest look yet at the external and internal changes that define Block 3.<\/p>\n<p>While the overall vehicle dimensions remain unchanged from Block 2, SpaceX has executed a subtle but powerful redesign of the internal tank architecture.<\/p>\n<p>Engineers reshaped both the common dome (the shared bulkhead separating the liquid-oxygen and liquid-methane tanks) and the aft dome.<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-112302\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NSF-2026-03-03-22-28-29-384.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1757\" height=\"984\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NSF-2026-03-03-22-28-29-384.jpg 1757w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NSF-2026-03-03-22-28-29-384-350x196.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NSF-2026-03-03-22-28-29-384-625x350.jpg 625w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NSF-2026-03-03-22-28-29-384-768x430.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NSF-2026-03-03-22-28-29-384-1170x655.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1757px) 100vw, 1757px\">The common dome was moved down compared to Block 2, increasing the amount of Liquid Methane the ship can store. To maintain the necessary oxygen-to-methane ratio for combustion, the aft dome was also lowered, expanding LOX capacity.<\/p>\n<p>Combined with recessed mounting for the vacuum-optimized Raptor engines, these modifications add approximately 100 metric tons of usable propellant \u2014 a substantial performance boost for longer missions.<\/p>\n<p>The engines themselves represent another leap. Ship 39 will be among the first to fly with Raptor 3 engines \u2014 three sea-level Raptors and three vacuum Raptors, maintaining the familiar 3+3 configuration used since the early flight-test campaign. There is still a plan to go to nine engines on the next evolution of the ship.<\/p>\n<p><iframe id=\"twitter-widget-2\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" allowtransparency=\"true\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" class=\"\" style=\"position: static; visibility: visible; width: 0px; height: 0px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;\" title=\"X Post\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/embed\/Tweet.html?creatorScreenName=NASASpaceflight&amp;dnt=true&amp;embedId=twitter-widget-2&amp;features=eyJ0ZndfdGltZWxpbmVfbGlzdCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOltdLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2ZvbGxvd2VyX2NvdW50X3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9iYWNrZW5kIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19yZWZzcmNfc2Vzc2lvbiI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZm9zbnJfc29mdF9pbnRlcnZlbnRpb25zX2VuYWJsZWQiOnsiYnVja2V0Ijoib24iLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X21peGVkX21lZGlhXzE1ODk3Ijp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRyZWF0bWVudCIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3Nob3dfYmlyZHdhdGNoX3Bpdm90c19lbmFibGVkIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19kdXBsaWNhdGVfc2NyaWJlc190b19zZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdXNlX3Byb2ZpbGVfaW1hZ2Vfc2hhcGVfZW5hYmxlZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdmlkZW9faGxzX2R5bmFtaWNfbWFuaWZlc3RzXzE1MDgyIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRydWVfYml0cmF0ZSIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfbGVnYWN5X3RpbWVsaW5lX3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9mcm9udGVuZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9fQ%3D%3D&amp;frame=false&amp;hideCard=false&amp;hideThread=false&amp;id=2028879009984184539&amp;lang=en&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasaspaceflight.com%2F2026%2F03%2Fship-39-preflight-test-objectives%2F&amp;sessionId=fa17a7d6b67d347834f12bf223741e00f8f3cf72&amp;siteScreenName=NASASpaceflight&amp;theme=light&amp;widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&amp;width=550px\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-14=\"true\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-21=\"true\" data-tweet-id=\"2028879009984184539\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\" data-twitter-extracted-i1783492451958523337=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Are new records boring yet?<\/p>\n<p>Earlier today we saw R3.122 and R3.123 leaving the testing area!<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" draggable=\"false\" role=\"img\" class=\"emoji\" alt=\"\ud83d\udcf7\" src=\"https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/16.0.1\/svg\/1f4f7.svg\">: https:\/\/t.co\/4WWVfurgfo pic.twitter.com\/F080NxOuyC<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Rhin0 (@SpaceRhin0) March 3, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Raptor 3 is dramatically simpler than its predecessors, with fewer parts, no heavy heat-shield blankets around each engine, and significantly higher thrust. Cooling is handled entirely by internal channels that circulate cryogenic propellant through the combustion chamber, throat, and nozzle bell.<\/p>\n<p>Thermal Protection and Docking Hardware Take Center Stage:<\/p>\n<p>Another visible evolution is in the thermal protection system (TPS). Ship 39\u2019s heat shield appears nearly 99 percent complete \u2014 a stark contrast to the patchwork appearance of earlier Block 2 vehicles that deliberately flew with missing tiles for instrumentation.<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-112303\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NSF-2026-03-03-23-05-42-660.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1757\" height=\"984\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NSF-2026-03-03-23-05-42-660.jpg 1757w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NSF-2026-03-03-23-05-42-660-350x196.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NSF-2026-03-03-23-05-42-660-625x350.jpg 625w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NSF-2026-03-03-23-05-42-660-768x430.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NSF-2026-03-03-23-05-42-660-1170x655.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1757px) 100vw, 1757px\">Only a handful of tiles remain absent on the forward flaps, likely to accommodate load sensors during the truss testing at Massey\u2019s. The gap between the flaps and fuselage will be filled before launch.<\/p>\n<p>SpaceX has largely phased out adhesive tile attachment in favor of mechanical pins. A new automated pin-installation station inside the Starfactory is enabling faster, more repeatable production. Glue is still used only at the nose-cone tip for now, but that too is expected to transition to pins.<\/p>\n<p>The ship\u2019s Starlink antenna array has migrated from its previous location below the payload bay to the nose cone, improving signal coverage during re-entry. Additional reaction-control-system (RCS) thrusters provide greater maneuvering authority in orbit. The raceway \u2014 the external trunk that routes plumbing and cabling \u2014 has been redesigned for better protection and serviceability.<\/p>\n<p>Most critically for future refueling operations, Ship 39 introduces a redesigned quick disconnect plate, which splits the LCH4 and LOX sides of the plate on the ship side only. Docking hardware is plainly visible, ready for the first in-orbit propellant-transfer demonstrations.<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-112304\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NSF-2026-03-03-23-06-47-046.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1757\" height=\"984\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NSF-2026-03-03-23-06-47-046.jpg 1757w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NSF-2026-03-03-23-06-47-046-350x196.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NSF-2026-03-03-23-06-47-046-625x350.jpg 625w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NSF-2026-03-03-23-06-47-046-768x430.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NSF-2026-03-03-23-06-47-046-1170x655.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1757px) 100vw, 1757px\">Reinforcements and additional vent outlets around the SQD area, plus new vents beneath the nose-cone tiles reminiscent of Space Shuttle RCS placements, complete the updated external architecture.<\/p>\n<p>Gone, too, are the bespoke lift points used on earlier ships. Ship 39 employs the use of newly designed catch points, the same hard points that will one day allow the tower\u2019s \u201cchopstick\u201d arms to catch the returning Starship in mid-air.<\/p>\n<p>Up Next:<\/p>\n<p>Attention now turns to the truss load tests and eventual static fires. Whether SpaceX elects to perform a full cryo-proof campaign on the proper stand or proceeds directly to engine installation remains an open question.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Ship 39 survives its first test | SpaceX Starbase\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/_bXB6LP2T_A?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen=\"\" name=\"fitvid1\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-14=\"true\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-21=\"true\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>If Ship 39 passes its remaining ground tests without issue, the vehicle could return briefly to the production site for Raptor 3 installation before stacking with a Block 3 Super Heavy booster.<\/p>\n<p>Flight 12 would then attempt to demonstrate not only safe ascent and re-entry but also the first steps toward the orbital refueling architecture that will unlock the rest of the Starship mission portfolio.<\/p>\n<p>Lead Image via Ceaser G for NSF\/L2<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Progress on the path to Flight 12 continues to be focused on testing at Massey\u2019s test site at Starbase, with Ship 39 passing multiple cryoloading objectives. The testing follows Booster 19\u2019s successful \u201cproofing\u201d at Massey\u2019s, setting the stage for another major milestone, booster rollout and Static Fire testing on Pad 2. Following its rollout from [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[752,7772,733,317],"class_list":["post-23577","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","tag-flight-12","tag-masseys","tag-ship-39","tag-starship"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23577"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23577"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23577\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23577"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23577"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23577"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}