SpaceX Starship V3 Reaches 100 Metric Tons Payload in Latest Test
SpaceX conducted a successful Starship V3 test flight after an earlier attempt was canceled. The vehicle carries up to 100 metric tons and supports multiple company projects including satellite deployment and orbital infrastructure.
FortuneSpaceX launched its Starship V3 vehicle on Friday evening after a scheduled test flight the previous day was canceled. The fully reusable rocket stands 408 feet tall and is equipped with 33 Raptor 3 engines that generate 18 million pounds of thrust at liftoff.
The V3 can deliver a payload of up to 100 metric tons, nearly three times the 35 metric tons capacity of the prior V2 version. Space Capital CEO Chad Anderson said the vehicle forms the basis for several planned SpaceX businesses.
Anderson stated that the Starship V3 enables satellite internet expansion, cell phone connectivity projects, and orbital data centers. The company currently operates about 10,000 satellites and intends to increase that number to 42,000 in low Earth orbit.
The higher payload capacity allows SpaceX to launch more next-generation satellites than its Falcon 9 rocket can accommodate. Anderson noted that Starship also supports plans for a lunar base and eventual Mars colony.
IPO filing indicated that founder Elon Musk would receive additional shares upon completion of orbital data centers and a Mars colony. The company's prospectus lists a total addressable market of up to $28.5 trillion. Anderson said investors are evaluating the company based on future orbital access rather than its current launch operations alone.
The Starship V3 remains in development with additional test flights planned.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
2 events- Thursday
A scheduled Starship V3 test flight was canceled.
1 sourceFortune - Friday evening
SpaceX successfully launched the Starship V3 vehicle.
1 sourceFortune
Potential Impact
- 01
SpaceX can launch larger satellite batches, accelerating constellation expansion.
- 02
Higher payload capacity supports testing of orbital data center components.
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