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SpaceX Schedules 12th Starship Test Flight for Thursday

SpaceX will launch the 12th test flight of its Starship rocket on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. ET. The flight will debut an upgraded Version 3 prototype after a seven-month pause.

MA
The New York Times
2 sources·May 21, 9:56 PM(7 days ago)·1m read|
SpaceX Schedules 12th Starship Test Flight for Thursdaynbcnews.com
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M. ET. The company will debut an upgraded Version 3 prototype following a seven-month pause in flight tests.

The test will evaluate booster separation, 22 simulated satellite deployments, and engine relights during coast phases. Engineers will also assess stress maneuvers intended to support future rapid reuse of the vehicle. No attempt to catch the booster with the launch tower is planned for this flight.

The flight follows a string of mishaps with the Version 2 prototype last year. SpaceX needs Starship operational to meet a NASA target of landing astronauts on the moon by 2028. S. effort.

The launch occurs the same week SpaceX filed for an $80 billion initial public offering. S. history.

“It takes three major iterations of any new technology to have it really work well.”

Key Facts

12th test flight
of Starship scheduled for Thursday
Version 3
upgraded prototype debuting on this flight
$80 billion
IPO filed the same week as the launch
spacespacexstarshipaerospace

Story Timeline

3 events
  1. Thursday — 6:30 p.m. ET

    SpaceX will launch the 12th test flight of Starship.

    2 sources@MarioNawfal · The New York Times
  2. Last year

    Version 2 prototype experienced a string of mishaps.

    1 source@MarioNawfal
  3. This week

    SpaceX filed for an $80 billion initial public offering.

    1 source@MarioNawfal

Potential Impact

  1. 01

    IPO filing may raise significant capital for SpaceX.

  2. 02

    Successful test could advance NASA lunar landing timeline.

Transparency Panel

Sources cross-referenced2
Confidence score74%
Synthesized bySubstrate AI
Word count140 words
PublishedMay 21, 2026, 9:56 PM
Bias signals removed2 across 1 outlet
Signal Breakdown
Amplifying 1Framing 1
Original Sources
@MarioNawfal🚨🇺🇸 SpaceX is launching the 12th test flight of Starship at 6:30pm ET today, debuting the upgr...The New York TimesSpaceX to Attempt Its 12th Test Flight of Starship

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