SpaceX is targeting today, May 22, 2026, for SpaceX Starship V3’s first-ever test flight. The launch window opens at 6:30 PM Eastern from Starbase, Texas. Yesterday’s attempt was scrubbed after a hydraulic pin failure. Elon Musk disclosed the cause on X shortly after the abort.
Starship V3 is approximately five feet taller than the V2 vehicle used on previous flights. Both stages now run Raptor 3 engines. Super Heavy’s 33 Raptor 3 engines produce over 18 million pounds of combined thrust. That is more than any rocket ever built. The upgraded avionics are designed for a higher launch cadence and full reusability on future missions.
What SpaceX Is Testing on This Flight
The mission carries 20 Starlink satellite simulators and 2 modified Starlink satellites. The modified satellites will test V3 Starlink hardware and scan the heat shield’s performance during reentry. Additionally, the flight plan includes rear flap stress tests and trajectory testing. SpaceX needs that data before flying operational payloads on V3.
Super Heavy will attempt a landing in the Gulf of Mexico on this flight. SpaceX is not attempting a mechanical arm catch at the launch tower this time. However, a clean offshore landing would still confirm the booster’s landing systems are working. A tower catch can then be attempted on a future flight.
Why Starship V3 Matters for SpaceX
Starship V3 is central to SpaceX’s plan to dramatically lower the cost of reaching orbit. Full reusability — catching and relaunching both stages — is the core goal. Furthermore, SpaceX Starship V3 carries more payload on longer missions than V2. That difference matters for future Starlink deployments and any deep-space mission architecture.
SpaceX is streaming the launch live on its X account. The six-and-a-half-hour window gives the team flexibility to work through any late technical issues. Whether today’s flight succeeds or scrubs again, V3’s debut advances SpaceX’s reusability program. It pushes further than any previous Starship test.
