SpaceX’s Starship V3 First Flight Advances, Yet Engine Hurdles Remain

SpaceX launched Starship V3 from Starbase, reaching about 195 km in altitude, testing heat shield performance and fins during a fiery reentry, while deploying 22 payloads (20 Starlink mockups plus two inspection satellites) and completing a water landing. Two Raptor engines failed during ascent (one on the booster, one on Starship), and a planned in‑space engine restart was not attempted, though the vehicle demonstrated engine‑out resilience. The booster did not return to a controlled splashdown, while the ship’s flight offered valuable data as SpaceX eyes an orbital test later this summer and progress toward NASA Artemis milestones.