SpaceX Starship Flight 12 live launch updates: 1st-ever Starship V3 test launch minutes away
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1st-ever Starship V3 test launch minutes away
SpaceX is now simply 10 minutes away from the deliberate launch of its Starship Flight 12 test flight of the brand new, next-generation Starship V3 megarocket.
Liftoff stays on the right track for 6:30 p.m. EDT (2230 GMT).
SpaceX says it understands and has addressed the hydraulic pin problem that prevented a Flight 12 launch yesterday. It should not occur once more, SpaceX spokesperson Dan Huot says.
In the Indian Ocean, a Space reentry workforce is ready to observer the return to Earth of the Starship V3 higher stage. The workforce has deployed a collection of camera-carrying buoys to try to seize live video of the touchdown and splashdown.
Yes, they’re powered by SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet system.
Tariq Malik
Fueling underway for Starship V3 launch
SpaceX experiences all techniques are go as fueling continues for its Starship Flight 12 test flight of the next-generation V3 rocket.
The fueling course of will proceed till simply minutes earlier than liftoff to prime the enormous Starship off ith its liquid methane and liquid oxygen propellant.
For Starship V3, SpaceX has upgraded the gas switch tube inside the enormous Super Heavy booster to raised ship propellant to the 33 Raptor engines on the primary stage.
Tariq Malik
SpaceX goes live for Starship V3 rocket launch
Hello, Space Fans! We are live with SpaceX’s livestream of the Starship Flight 12 test flight, the first-ever launch of a Starship V3 rocket, the third model of the large booster. The stakes for this Starship V3 flight are excessive.
Today’s Starship test flight is not going to go into orbit. It is about to carry off from Pad 2 at Starbase, Texas at 6:30 p.m. EDT (2230 GMT) on a suborbital path that can take its Ship higher stage to a water “landing” and splashdown level within the Indian Ocean, west of Australia. You can watch it live right here and on the prime of this web page:
The Super Heavy booster will return to its launch web site, however is not going to try to land at Pad 2 and be captured by its “chopstick” steel arms. Instead, it’s going to make a water touchdown of its personal offshore within the Gulf of Mexico.
This Starship V3 carries many upgrades over its Starshp V2 counterpart, together with modern Raptor 3 engines, greater gas tanks and extra. It will likely be carrying 22 dummy Starlink web satellites, two of them “Dodger Dogs” that can try to {photograph} Starship in house, to test quicker deployment techniques.
From liftoff to touchdown, the test flight ought to final about 1 hour and 5 minutes.
Tariq Malik
Starship V3 ‘Go’ for fueling
SpaceX simply introduced that it is launch workforce is “go” to start out fueling its Starship V3 Fligth 12 test flight at this time. Liftoff stays on the right track for six:30 p.m. EDT (2230 GMT).
The Starship workforce is go for prop load https://t.co/bfIHYnvZuCMay 22, 2026
Today’s Starship Flight 12 test flight has a launch window that closes at 8 p.m. EDT (0000 GMT).
This is SpaceX’s first Starship launch of 2026. Here’s a take a look at how Starship V3 has been upgraded over the V2 model.
Tariq Malik
Weather appears good for Starship V3 launch at this time
SpaceX is counting all the way down to its deliberate launch of the Starship V3 Flight 12 test flight today and the climate appears good, the corporate mentioned. Liftoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. EDT (2230 GMT). SpaceX’s livestream will now start about 30 minutes earlier than liftoff, at 6 p.m. EDT.
There is an 85% likelihood of excellent climate at launch time, SpaceX experiences.
Meanwhile, satellites in orbit have spotted Starship V3 on the pad. In this photograph, taken by Vantor’s WorldView Legion satellites, you possibly can see the Starship V3 atop its pad as seen from low-Earth orbit.
“Wishing SpaceX lots of luck for today’s launch. At Vantor, we’re continuing to watch the future of space from space,” Vantor wrote in an X post on Thursday.
Starship V3 is SpaceX’s latest and largest model of Starship but. Today’s test flight will try a water touchdown and splashdown of each the Super Heavy and Ship automobile, test the Pad 2 launch web site at Starbase, Texas, in addition to quite a few upgrades to the Starship rocket.
Here’s a video recap from our personal Josh Dinner:
Tariq Malik
SpaceX to make 2nd try to launch Starship V3 at this time
SpaceX will attempt to launch its new Starship Version 3 megarocket at this time throughout a flight window that opens at 6:30 p.m. EDT (2230 GMT), in the future after a caught hydraulic pin thwarted a primary launch strive. Our livestream will begin at about 5:45 p.m. EDT (2145 GMT).
“The hydraulic pin hollding the tower arm in place did not retract,” SpaceX CEO Elon Musk wrote on X after the Starship launch scrub. “If that can be fixed tonight, there will be another launch attempt tomorrow at 5:30 CT.”
SpaceX’s Starship V3 test flight, known as Flight 12, has a 90-minute launch window at this time through which to carry off from its new Pad 2 web site on the firm’s Starbase facility in South Texas. The window closes at 8 p.m. EDT (0000 GMT). This is the primary launch of Starship this 12 months and the primary test flight of the redesigned Starship automobile and Super Heavy booster.
Pad 2 can also be new, and consists of upgrades to permit quicker booster catches and simpler turnaround. So the whole lot is new, and SpaceX wants it to go properly for its Starship, Artemis lander and different packages.
Here’s a take a look at what’s at stake for SpaceX’s Starship Flight 12 launch.
I’ll be with you at this time for the period, so TGIF!
Tariq Malik
SCRUB: SpaceX calls off 1st Starship V3 launch, could fly May 22
SpaceX simply known as off at this time’s launch try of its first-ever upgraded Starship V3 rocket attributable to a technical problem within the final minute earlier than liftoff.
You can learn our full story on today’s Starship Flight 12 launch scrub here, Nicki Minaj cameo and all.
“New rocket, new pad, we’re learning a lot about these new systems as we execute them for the first time,” SpaceX’s Dan Huot mentioned in live commentary. “We are expecting to be able to make another flight attempt tomorrow.”
If SpaceX is ready to try a launch of Starship on the Flight 12 test flight, the window will stay the identical. The launch could be scheduled for 6:30 p.m. EDT (2230 GMT) with a window that runs 90 minutes lengthy, closing at 8 p.m. EDT (0000 GMT). Our launch webcast will start about 45 minutes earlier than liftoff at 5:45 p.m. EDT (2145 GMT).
Thanks a lot for tuning in and we’ll see you once more tomorrow!
Tariq Malik
HOLD: SpaceX at T-40 seconds and holding for Starship launch
SpaceX is at T-40 seconds and holding for Starship V3 launch. The clock restarted briefly twice earlier than biking again.
“So that water diverter underneath the system did trip a hold, but that basically just gives the team the chance to look at it, see if it’s something that we need to troubleshoot in data,” SpaceX’s Dan Huot says.
SpaceX can maintain right here for a number of minutes if wanted to troubleshoot.
Tariq Malik
Singer Nicki Minaj onhand to observe Starship launch
Singer Nicki Minaj, who sang the hit “Starships” is onhand to observe Starship V3 launch.
“This is historic. This is a major moment, y’all,” Minaj mentioned.
LIftoff is now minutes away at 7:30 p.m ET (2330 GMT). You can watch live right here.
Tariq Malik
SpaceX says cryptocurrency billionaire will fly Starship to Mars
SpaceX simply introduced that personal Fram2 Dragon commander Chun Wang, cryptocurrency billionaire explorer, will lead the first Starship flyby of Mars, which may even swing by the moon, a shock announcement as we look forward to the V3 launch.
“So it’s going to be a fly by mission of Mars,” Wang mentioned in a recorded video. Lots of people speak about Mars. We like Mars, we’re gonna land on Mars. We’re gonna do a colony on Mars, however let’s get it began with a flyby.
Here’s what Wang did on Fram2.
Tariq Malik
Fueling underway for Starship Flight 12
SpaceX is now fueling the Starship V3 rocket with the tons of of hundreds of gallons of propellant wanted for launch.
This Starship Flight 12 is launching from Pad 2, a new launch pad designed for Starship V3.
“We’re loading about 20% faster on Pad 2 than we did on Pad 1,” SpaceX spokesperson Dan Huot mentioned in live commentary.
Starship makes use of liquid methane and liquid oxygen for propellant throughout launch.
Tariq Malik
SpaceX is LIVE: Weather nice for Starship Flight 12 launch
SpaceX is LIVE for at this time’s launch of the SpaceX Starship Flight 12 test flight of the primary ever Version 3, or V3, of Starship.
You can watch the launch live on our homepage and on the prime of this web page right here.
SpaceX’s Dan Huot says that higher degree winds are what delayed at this time’s launch from 6:30 p.m. EDT (2230 GMT) to 7:30 p.m. EDT (2330 GMT). But the climate now appears nice for launch, he says.
He’s now going over the differences of Starship V3 to Starship V2.
Today, we’re now carrying the heaviest payload ever carried on Starship,” Huot mentioned. It’s carrying 22 dummy Starlink internet satellites.
Tariq Malik
Starship V3 ‘go’ for fueling, SpaceX says
SpaceX has given the go-ahead to gas the large Starship V3 megarocket, its Ship higher stage and Super Heavy first stage, for launch.
“The Starship team is go for prop load,” SpaceX wrote on X.
Liftoff stays on monitor for Starship V3’s Flight 12 launch at 7:30 p.m. EDT (2330 GMT).
Starship makes use of liquid oxygen and liquid methane to launch the towering 408-foot tall rocket into house. The first stage alone is powered by 33 Raptor engines.
Our Spaceflight Writer Josh Dinner has this story on what upgrades make SpaceX’s Starship V3 stand apart. Check it out.
Tariq Malik
SpaceX Starship V3 Gets NEW LAUNCH TIME: 7:30 pm ET
NEW LAUNCH TIME: SpaceX has pushed the launch of Starship Flight 12 again a bit extra.
The first Starship V3 megarocket will now launch no sooner than 7:30 p.m. EDT (2330 GMT) at this time after one other slip, in keeping with SpaceX’s Starship Flight 12 mission page. Our launch livestream will now start at 6:45 p.m. EDT (2245 GMT).
“Now targeting 6:30 p.m. CT for liftoff of Starship,” SpaceX wrote in a new social media update. Again, there was not a cause given for the delays at this time to this point.
SpaceX’s 90-minute launch window runs from 6:30 p.m. EDT (2230 GMT) via 8 p.m. EDT (0000 GMT) for the Flight 12 mission at its Starbase test web site in South Texas. A backup day could also be out there on Friday if wanted.
Tariq Malik
NEW LAUNCH TIME: SpaceX Starship V3 launch now @ 7 p.m. ET
SpaceX has barely delayed the launch of its Starship V3 test flight by 30 minutes.
Liftoff of Starship Flight 12 is now set for no sooner than 7 p.m. EDT (2300 GMT). It will likely be 6 p.m. native time at SpaceX’s Starbase, Texas launch web site on the time. Our launch webcast from SpaceX will now start at 6:15 p.m. EDT (2215 GMT), 45 minutes earlier than launch.
SpaceX didn’t give a particular cause for the launch delay.
“Now targeting 6:00 p.m. CT for liftoff of Starship,” the corporate wrote in a social media update on X.
SpaceX has a 90-minute window for at this time’s Starship launch. It opens at 6:30 p.m. EDT (2230 GMT) and closes at 8 p.m. EDT (0000 GMT).
The stakes are extraordinarily excessive for SpaceX with at this time’s Starship Fligth 12 launch. Our Spaceflight Editor Mike Wall lays out the stakes for SpaceX’s Starship V3 test flight in our feature here.
Tariq Malik
SpaceX on monitor for six:30 p.m. EDT launch window
Boca Chica Beach closed to the general public this morning, as SpaceX continues gearing up for the launch of Starship Flight 12.
It’s the primary Starship flight of the 12 months, and ends a seven-month hiatus since Flight 11 final October. This can also be the primary launch of Starship Version 3 (V3), and has rather a lot using on the mission’s success.
SpaceX will launch its 1st-ever Starship V3 megarocket today. The stakes couldn’t be higher
SpaceX confirmed they’re nonetheless continuing towards a launch this night in a post on X. You can watch the mission live right here at Space.com, or on SpaceX’s website. Coverage is scheduled to start at 5:45 p.m. EDT (2145 GMT), or about 45 minutes previous to liftoff throughout a launch window from 6:30 p.m. EDT (2230 GMT), till 8 p.m. EDT (0000 GMT, April 22).
On monitor for at this time’s Starship flight test. The launch window is from 5:30 p.m. CT – 7 p.m. CT and live protection begins ~45 minutes earlier than launch https://t.co/vwvur0GZdDMay 21, 2026
Starship V3 launching at this time
The solar has risen on SpaceX’s latest Starship rocket, and the corporate is progressing towards a launch this night throughout a window that opens at 6:30 p.m. EDT (2230 GMT).
The 1.5-hour window is the primary time this 12 months that SpaceX will try to launch its Starship prototype rocket, and at this time’s V3 variant is the primary mission for the brand new, upgraded construct.
Today’s suborbital flight is predicted to final about an hour. Neither the Super Heavy booster or Ship higher stage will try recoveries again at SpaceX’s Starbase facility. Instead, each will carry out touchdown burns for gentle splashdowns at sea.
Coverage of at this time’s launch is scheduled to start at 5:45 p.m. EDT (2145 GMT). You can watch it live right here at Space.com courtesy of SpaceX, or instantly via the company’s website; protection will begin about 45 minutes earlier than liftoff.
SpaceX completes Starship V3 moist costume rehearsal
The public seaside subsequent to SpaceX’s Starbase launch and test facility was closed at this time (May 20), between about 6:30 a.m. EDT (1030 GMT) and a pair of p.m. EDT (1830 GMT), whereas the corporate accomplished a wet dress rehearsal on the rocket and floor techniques.
Ahead of tomorrow’s scheduled 6:30 p.m. EDT (2230 GMT) launch window, SpaceX ran the automobile via a full simulated countdown, together with tanking operations with the rocket’s cryogenically-cooled liquid oxygen and liquid methane propellants.
Starship stacked forward of launch
Starship is again on the pad.
SpaceX rolled Super Heavy (Booster 19) and its Starship higher stage (Ship 39) again to pad 2 on the firm’s Starbase facility yesterday, stacking the pair forward of tomorrow’s test launch.
Today (May 20), SpaceX will carry out a moist costume rehearsal (WDR) on the automobile, simulating mission countdown procedures and absolutely fueling the rocket, however with out an engine ignition. If all goes in keeping with plan, at this time’s WDR would be the final main test of Starship earlier than tomorrow’s liftoff, at present scheduled throughout a 1.5-hour launch window that opens at 6:30 p.m. EDT (2230 GMT).
It would be the debut launch for the Starship Version 3 (V3), which options a number of upgrades in comparison with earlier designs, and is supposed to be a step towards qualifying the automobile because the lunar lander for NASA’s Artemis program and operational missions to launch SpaceX’s Starlink satellites and future orbital data center autos.
Starship stacked on the pad at Starbase pic.twitter.com/aYM9xw8BVjMay 20, 2026
SpaceX Starship Flight 12 will now launch on May 21
The twelfth test flight of SpaceX’s Starship megarocket has slipped but once more, to Thursday night (May 21). That’s the second delay prior to now two days; SpaceX had initially focused Tuesday (May 19) for the launch however pushed it to Wednesday (May 20). And now Wednesday is off the table as well.
Starship Flight 12 is at present focused to carry off from SpaceX‘s Starbase web site in South Texas on Thursday, throughout a 90-minute window that opens at 6:30 p.m. EDT (2230 GMT; 5:30 native time in Texas). You can watch it right here at Space.com when the time comes.
The test flight will ship Starship’s higher stage on a suborbital trajectory partway all over the world, with splashdown coming within the Indian Ocean off Western Australia about 65 minutes after liftoff. Starship’s Super Heavy first stage will make a managed splashdown of its personal within the Gulf of Mexico about seven minutes after launch.
Flight 12 will mark the debut of Starship Version 3 (V3), the largest and strongest iteration of the rocket thus far. It options many upgrades over its predecessors, which helps clarify the lengthy hole in Starship flights. The megarocket final took to the sky in October 2025.
Tariq Malik
What time is Starship V3 launch? Road closure clues
With SpaceX’s Starship V3 test flight only a few days away, I believed it may be useful to make a information to the timing of the mission.
In my newest story – helpfully titled “What time is SpaceX’s Starship V3 launch on May 20? (Starship Flight 12 timeline)” – I’ve laid out a what has change into a reasonably normal timeline for SpaceX’s Starship launches. Based on the knowledge we’ve now, it’s a fairly good concept of what to anticipate.
Here’s the fundamentals:
On Wednesday, May 20, SpaceX will try to launch its Starship V3 at 6:30 p.m. EDT (2230 GMT). It will really be 5:30 p.m. native time at SpaceX’s Starbase, Texas launch web site.
SpaceX’s livestream of the launch will start about 45 minutes BEFORE liftoff, so you may wish to tune in round 5:45 p.m. EDT (2145 GMT).
HOWEVER! SpaceX has mentioned the launch window opens at 6:30 p.m. EDT, so there’s wiggle room and the precise time may change. In the previous, Starship launch home windows have assorted from 30 minutes to 2 hours. So it is doable the launch time will likely be later what SpaceX has mentioned.
The launch day may change as properly. In truth it already has. As I say in my piece, SpaceX initially aimed for a May 19 launch, however pushed the Starship flight again 24 hours with out rationalization (in all probability for extra preflight checks).
But TODAY, we received a new road closure alert from Starbase, Texas officers. That alert states that the city is closing off public entry to the roads round SpaceX’s Starbase test web site (which is close to a public seaside), from May 19 via the top of May 21, which suggests a possible again up launch day of at the very least May 21 is on the market.
Tariq Malik
SpaceX Starship Flight 12 will now launch on May 20
Hello, Space Fans, and welcome to our protection of SpaceX’s latest Starship rocket, the Starship V3 booster, which is able to launch the much-anticipated Flight 12 test flight this week.
We have been expecting the launch to occur on Tuesday, May 19, however over the weekend SpaceX up to date its plans and pushed the launch again by 24 hours. SpaceX’s Flight 12 Starship V3 launch is now scheduled for no sooner than Wednesday (May 20) from Pad 2 on the firm’s Starbase, Texas test web site. Liftoff is scheduled for six:30 p.m. EDT (2230 GMT).
It’s been seven lengthy months since SpaceX’s Starship Flight 11 launch final fall. In 2025, SpaceX launched 5 Starship test flights, however Flight 12 would be the first Starship mission of 2026.
Loads is using on this flight. NASA wants Starship to work as a way to function the lander for its Artemis 4 astronauts throughout a lunar touchdown mission in 2028. SpaceX is counting on the absolutely reusable Starship to dramatically decrease launch prices for its human spaceflight initiatives, Starlink internet satellites and plans for orbital information facilities.
SpaceX has but to launch a Starship into orbit or on a mission with an precise payload (although latest flights have carried dummy Starlink satellites).
Flight 12 will do a lot the identical as its predecessors. It will launch a Starship higher stage on a suborbital flight that can make a water-based touchdown and splashdown within the Indian Ocean. During the flight, the Ship will deploy 20 dummy Starlink satellites, and two modified probes that can use cameras to beam pictures of the Ship again to Earth.
The Super Heavy booster, in the meantime, will return to Earth to make a water-based touchdown and splashdown within the Gulf of Mexico off the coast from Starbase.
Future Starship launches will possible try to return each the Super Heavy and Starship higher stage to the 2 pads at Starbase, the place they are going to be caught by the enormous steel arms of SpaceX’s “Mechazilla” pad construction. Those landings and captures are a core plan of the reusability of the Starship system, and SpaceX has already captured Super Heavy on its Pad 1 a number of occasions.
Tariq Malik