SpaceX Schedules 12th Starship Test Flight for Thursday

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. U.S. effort.

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

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