Trending Now - Spacex Prepares for May Launch of Starship Version 3

WHO:

Spaceflight Now - SpaceX is the organization preparing for the launch.

Spaceflight Now - Tom Percy is NASA’s HLS Systems Engineering and Integration Manager.

WHAT:

Spaceflight Now - The mission, dubbed Flight 12, will be the first launch from Pad 2, the updated version of the launch infrastructure.

Spaceflight Now - SpaceX will deploy 22 mass simulators that model next-generation Starlink satellites, which is about double from previous flights.

Spaceflight Now - The last two satellites deployed will scan Starship’s heat shield and transmit imagery down to operators to test methods of analyzing Starship’s heat shield readiness for return to launch site on future missions.

Spaceflight Now - SpaceX is using an integrated hot stage for the Super Heavy booster, which includes a non-structural steel layer to shield the liquid methane tank from the fire of the upper stage engines.

Spaceflight Now - SpaceX confirmed that the Raptor engines have undergone notable upgrades, including a redesigned ignition system and reduced mass.

SpaceNews - The launch will be the first flight of version 3 of Starship, with upgrades to both stages to improve vehicle performance.

SpaceNews - The Super Heavy booster will perform a soft splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico about seven minutes after liftoff.

SpaceNews - The Starship upper stage will deploy 22 mass simulators that model next-generation Starlink satellites, with two having imagery payloads to scan the vehicle’s heat shield.

SpaceNews - A single heat shield tile was intentionally removed from the vehicle to test aerodynamic forces on neighboring tiles.

Spaceflight Now - SpaceX's Starship V3 will use a new iteration of the Raptor engines, referred to as Raptor 3 engines.

Spaceflight Now - The Raptor 3 engines deliver increased thrust, with sea-level variants now producing 250 tf (551,000 lbf) up from 230 tf (507,000 lbf), while vacuum engines produce 275 tf (606,000 lbf) up from 258 tf (568,000 lbf).

Spaceflight Now - SpaceX will deploy 22 simulator Starlink satellites during the mission, with two featuring new capabilities.

Spaceflight Now - Only one heat shield tile is intended to be missing at liftoff for the first time during this flight test.

Spaceflight Now - The mass of the Raptor sea-level engines has been reduced to 1,525 kg from 1,630 kg, achieving overall vehicle-level mass savings of approximately 1 ton per engine.

Spaceflight Now - SpaceX is targeting May 19 for the debut of Starship Version 3.

Spaceflight Now - The mission is referred to as Flight 12.

Spaceflight Now - SpaceX completed an integrated tanking test prior to the announcement.

Spaceflight Now - The flight test will demonstrate new elements of the Starship architecture.

Spaceflight Now - SpaceX will deploy 22 simulator Starlink satellites during the mission.

Spaceflight Now - The Raptor 3 engines will produce increased thrust, with sea-level variants producing 250 tf (551,000 lbf) and vacuum engines producing 275 tf (606,000 lbf).

The Register - SpaceX completed a Wet Dress Rehearsal (WDR) for the Starship rocket.

The Register - 5,000 metric tons (more than 11 million pounds) of propellant were loaded during the WDR.

WHERE:

Spaceflight Now - The launch will occur from Pad 2 at SpaceX's Starbase facility in Texas.

Spaceflight Now - Booster 19 will splash down in the Gulf of Mexico.

Spaceflight Now - Ship 39 will aim for an aquatic landing in the Indian Ocean.

WHEN:

SpaceNews - Liftoff is planned for 6:30 p.m. Eastern on May 19.

Spaceflight Now - The launch is targeted for May 19.

The Register - The WDR was completed yesterday, prior to the article's publication.

WHY:

SpaceNews - Version 3 of Starship is critical for SpaceX because it is the version the company plans to use for orbital missions, including deployment of next-generation Starlink satellites and as a lunar lander for NASA’s Artemis program.

Spaceflight Now - The debut of Starship V3 is critical for NASA’s plans to return humans to the Moon and will demonstrate propellant transfer capabilities needed for the Human Landing System.

Spaceflight Now - The debut of Starship V3 is critical for NASA’s plans to return humans to the Moon.

Spaceflight Now - The mission will demonstrate propellant transfer capabilities needed for the Human Landing System.

HOW:

SpaceNews - SpaceX is seeking additional launch sites for Starship, acknowledging interest in a large parcel of land in Louisiana for potential Starship activities.

Spaceflight Now - SpaceX used an integrated hot stage for the Super Heavy booster.

Spaceflight Now - The flight profile will be a suborbital flight, with no catch attempt for the stages.

Spaceflight Now - The Raptor engines have undergone upgrades, including a redesigned ignition system and reduced mass.

(UPDATED May 13, 2026 23:20 UTC)

SpaceX is preparing for its upcoming mission, Flight 12, which will mark the first launch from the newly updated Pad 2 and involve deploying 22 mass simulators that model next-generation Starlink satellites. The mission will also feature advanced technology, including an integrated hot stage for the Super Heavy booster and upgraded Raptor engines, all crucial for the future of SpaceX's orbital missions and NASA's Artemis program. Additionally, the company is exploring new launch sites, with interest in a large parcel of land in Louisiana for potential Starship activities.

(UPDATED May 13, 2026 17:42 UTC)

SpaceX is gearing up for the first flight of version 3 of Starship, scheduled to lift off at 6:30 p.m. Eastern on May 19, featuring significant upgrades to enhance performance. The Super Heavy booster is set to perform a soft splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico about seven minutes after liftoff, while the Starship upper stage will deploy 22 mass simulators that mimic next-generation Starlink satellites, including two with imagery payloads to assess the vehicle’s heat shield. This version of Starship is crucial for SpaceX's plans for orbital missions and its role as a lunar lander for NASA’s Artemis program, and the company is also exploring additional launch sites, including a large parcel of land in Louisiana.

(UPDATED May 13, 2026 11:45 UTC)

SpaceX's Starship V3 will feature the new Raptor 3 engines, which provide increased thrust with sea-level variants now producing 250 metric tons and vacuum engines reaching 275 metric tons. During the mission, SpaceX plans to deploy 22 simulator Starlink satellites, including two with new capabilities, and the last two will scan Starship’s heat shield to test its readiness for future missions. This debut is crucial for NASA's plans to return humans to the Moon, as it will demonstrate the propellant transfer capabilities needed for the Human Landing System.

(UPDATED May 13, 2026 07:52 UTC)

SpaceX is gearing up for the launch of Starship Version 3, targeting May 19 for this significant mission, known as Flight 12, which will take place from Pad 2 at their Starbase facility in Texas. The flight will showcase new elements of the Starship architecture, including the deployment of 22 simulator Starlink satellites and the upgraded Raptor 3 engines, which will produce impressive thrust levels of 250 tons at sea level and 275 tons in a vacuum. This mission is crucial for NASA's plans to return humans to the Moon, as it will demonstrate essential propellant transfer capabilities for the Human Landing System.