SpaceX Prepares Version 3 Starship for Twelfth Test Flight

SpaceX prepared a new version of its Super Heavy-Starship rocket for the program's twelfth sub-orbital test flight. The vehicle includes upgraded engines, structural changes, and safety improvements. The launch countdown was stopped with about 40 seconds remaining on Thursday evening. The company stated it will try again on Friday.

The version 3 rocket is the first to use a new, reinforced launch pad at Starbase in Texas. The pad is designed to require less refurbishment between flights. The Super Heavy booster carries 33 Raptor engines that are lighter and more powerful than earlier versions.

SpaceX said the booster will perform a launch, stage separation, boostback burn, and landing burn before splashing down in the Gulf of America.

After separation, the Starship upper stage will climb to a sub-orbital path and deploy 22 Starlink satellite simulators. The final two simulators will scan the heat shield and transmit imagery to the ground. The upper stage will also test a dynamic banking maneuver and stress the rear flight control flaps during re-entry before splashing down in the Indian Ocean.

NASA is relying on a flight-tested Starship upper stage to carry Artemis astronauts from lunar orbit to the lunar surface before the end of 2028. The agency is also developing an alternative lander with Blue Origin. SpaceX has conducted eleven previous test flights that included both successes and failures. The company said each new version incorporates lessons from those flights.