Tag

Starship

All articles tagged with #starship

space-and-spaceflight8 hours ago•16 min saved

Starship V3's Heat Shield Steals the Spotlight on Flight 12

Starship V3's Flight 12 was largely successful and its heat shield performed exceptionally well, with reentry temperatures around 1,450 C and video/images showing a uniform, largely intact shield thanks to new tile geometry and stronger attachment clips. SpaceX will study post-flight data since the vehicle was destroyed on splashdown to validate heat-shield durability for rapid reuse ahead of crewed Moon/Mars missions; meanwhile a separate multi-engine failure during the booster boostback caused a hard splashdown, a problem SpaceX must address before Flight 13.

via Gizmodo|

#heat-shields #rocket-launches #space-and-spaceflight

technology15 hours ago•7 min saved

Starship V3: engine-out flight milestone and orbital heat-shield tests push Artemis IV plans

SpaceX’s Starship V3 Flight 12 from Pad 2 survived an engine-out ascent and reentry, deploying 22 payloads to test orbit-based heat-shield inspection that could speed up future flights, as NASA maintains Artemis IV targets and SpaceX moves toward a June 2026 IPO.

via Teslarati|

#artemis #heat-shield #space

technology2 days ago•6 min saved

SpaceX delays Starship Flight 12 after hydraulic pin snag, eyes next-night launch

SpaceX scrubbed Starship Flight 12 (the v3 upgrade) moments before liftoff after a hydraulic pin on the Mechazilla tower failed to retract, triggering an overnight fix and a planned retry the following night. The v3 stack brings increased propellant capacity, a more powerful Raptor 3 engine, larger grid fins, improved heat shielding, and a refined fuel-transfer system to raise payload performance and enable higher flight rates toward missions such as Starlink deployments, NASA Artemis landings, and future crewed Mars flights. The page also includes related SpaceX and Tesla updates, including an IPO filing and FSD refinements.

via Teslarati|

#launch-delay #mechazilla #spacex

technology3 days ago•8 min saved

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.

via Ars Technica|

#raptor-3 #spacex #starbase

space-exploration3 days ago•72 min saved

SpaceX’s Starship V3 debuts on Flight 12 as the most powerful Starship yet

SpaceX’s Starship V3 roared from Starbase on May 22, 2026 for Flight 12—the most powerful Starship yet—marking the first flight of the Version 3 core with upgrades like a new fuel transfer tube, faster PEZ deployment, 39 Raptors across two stages, three grid fins, and a reusable “hot stage ring.” The suborbital test culminated in fiery splashdowns of both the Super Heavy booster and the Ship upper stage. The launch advances SpaceX’s long-running Artemis program goals, with NASA eyeing Artemis 4 for a late‑2028 lunar landing and continuing discussions about Artemis 3 in Earth orbit and potential Blue Origin competition.

via Space|

#artemis #nasa #space-exploration

technology3 days ago•3 min saved

Starship V3 Surges Forward: A Mostly Successful First Test Flight

SpaceX's Starship V3 completed its first test flight from Starbase, Texas, achieving most objectives despite engine hiccups. All 33 Raptor 3 engines fired at liftoff, one shut down mid-flight, and the booster executed only a partial boostback before crashing into the Gulf of Mexico. The upper stage stayed on trajectory, deployed 20 Starlink simulators and two modified satellites to image the vehicle in space, tested heat-shield and rear-flap maneuvers, then landed on two Raptors before splashing down and exploding in the Indian Ocean. Elon Musk called it epic and SpaceX filed IPO paperwork with trading expected June 12.

via Engadget|

#launch #raptor3 #spacex

space-exploration4 days ago•79 min saved

Starship V3 Flight 12: SpaceX Braces for a Second Launch Attempt from Pad 2

SpaceX is attempting a second liftoff of Starship Version 3 (V3), Flight 12, from Starbase Pad 2 during a 6:30–8:00 p.m. EDT launch window after yesterday’s scrub caused by a hydraulic-pin issue; the suborbital flight will carry 22 dummy Starlink satellites and two probes on a world-skimming trajectory, marking the V3 debut with upgrades and new pad infrastructure, with live coverage starting about 45 minutes before liftoff.

via Space|

#flight-12 #launch #space-exploration

science-and-space5 days ago•3 min saved

SpaceX readies larger Starship V3 for lunar-focused test flight

SpaceX will launch its larger Starship V3 from Starbase on a ~65-minute suborbital test, deploying 22 mock Starlink satellites and attempting an in-space engine relight as a step toward full reusability and NASA’s Artemis III moon mission; the booster will land offshore in the Gulf of Mexico rather than returning to Texas, and Elon Musk signaled plans for a possible SpaceX IPO.

via NBC News|

#artemis #launch #nasa

space-exploration5 days ago•94 min saved

SpaceX’s Starship V3 preps for historic first flight on May 21

SpaceX will debut Starship V3 from Starbase in a 90-minute launch window opening at 6:30 p.m. EDT on May 21 for Flight 12, which will deploy 20 dummy Starlink satellites and two modified real Starlink satellites to test hardware and heat-shield readiness as SpaceX pushes toward lunar/Mars missions and Artemis milestones; live coverage will be available on Space.com and SpaceX’s site.

via Space|

#space-exploration #spaceflight #spacex

space-exploration5 days ago•98 min saved

SpaceX’s Starship V3 Debuts in High-Stakes Test Ahead of Moon Missions

SpaceX will launch its first Starship V3 megarocket from Starbase, Texas, on May 21 in a 90-minute window for a suborbital test—the 12th Starship flight overall. The new V3 features a bigger Super Heavy with 33 Raptors and a Ship with six Raptors, a three-grid-fin booster, a redesigned hot-stage attachment for reuse, and a redesigned propellant system. Ship also gains propulsion and reaction-control upgrades and a faster payload deployment system that will eject 20 dummy Starlinks and two live satellites with cameras to inspect the heat shield. The flight aims to demonstrate long-duration capability, in-space propellant transfer and rapid reuse, with Artemis moon missions (Artemis 4, targeted for 2028) on the horizon; a poor debut could affect SpaceX’s IPO timing or valuation, though Elon Musk says the production pipeline is full and the main risk would be loss of the launch stand.

via Space|

#artemis #launch #space-exploration

space-exploration5 days ago•71 min saved

Starship V3 Debut Set for Flight 12, with a 6:30 PM Liftoff Window

SpaceX is targeting May 21, 6:30 p.m. EDT for Flight 12 of Starship—the first mission for the Version 3 upgrade—from Starbase, Texas. The 1.5-hour launch window will feature a suborbital test with Ship 39 on Booster 19, splashdowns at sea, and the deployment of 20 dummy Starlink satellites to validate upgraded systems as NASA's Artemis program looms; the flight follows a wet dress rehearsal and recent schedule changes plus Starbase road closures.

via Space|

#flight12 #launchwindow #space-exploration

space-exploration6 days ago•47 min saved

Starship V3 Debuts as Flight 12 Stacks Up for May 21 Test Flight

SpaceX is preparing Flight 12 of its Starship by stacking the Version 3 upper stage (Ship 39) atop Booster 19 at Starbase, Texas, with a wet dress rehearsal planned ahead of a May 21 liftoff in a 90-minute window that starts at 6:30 p.m. EDT. Flight 12 will be the first Starship flight of 2026 and the debut of the Starship Version 3, featuring upgrades aimed at NASA's Artemis program and future Starlink/data-center missions. The mission will loft the upper stage on a suborbital path, deploy 20 dummy Starlink satellites and two modified probes, and see the Super Heavy booster splash down in the Gulf of Mexico while Starship splash-lands in the Indian Ocean off Western Australia; SpaceX plans eventual recovery of both stages at Starbase with its Mechazilla arms.

via Space|

#artemis #launch #space-exploration

space-exploration7 days ago•46 min saved

Starship V3 Debuts on Flight 12 with May 21 Target

SpaceX’s Starship Flight 12 will debut the Starship V3 and is now set for May 21 from Starbase, Texas, with a 6:30 p.m. EDT window; the upper stage will fly a suborbital trajectory and splash down in the Indian Ocean near Western Australia about 65 minutes after liftoff, while the Super Heavy booster splashes down in the Gulf of Mexico about seven minutes later, as upgrades drive delays ahead of NASA Artemis 4 goals and Mechazilla plans.

via Space|

#flight-12 #space-exploration #spacex

space7 days ago•35 min saved

Starship Flight 12: Upgraded Hardware Heads for High-Stakes May 19 Test

SpaceX is set to launch Starship Flight 12 from Starbase, Texas, featuring redesigned Starship upper stage and Super Heavy booster. The launch window opens at 6:30 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, May 19, with live streams on SpaceX.com, YouTube and X. The mission will test the new hardware, including a 33-engine Raptor burn, and, unlike some past flights, the booster will perform an offshore landing in the Gulf of Mexico rather than returning to the launch site. In space, the Starship upper stage is expected to deploy 22 Starlink simulators and conduct heat-shield experiments, with some tiles painted white to aid visual inspections. This test advances SpaceX’s Artemis program goals, as NASA plans Artemis 3 to rendezvous with a lunar lander in the future. Weather and technical checks may still cause delays.

via Yahoo News UK|

#artemis #nasa #space

space-exploration7 days ago•78 min saved

SpaceX Preps Starship V3 for May 21 Flight 12 Megarocket Test

SpaceX plans to launch the Starship Flight 12 test of the V3 design from Starbase on May 21 within a 90‑minute window opening at 6:30 p.m. EDT. Flight 12 will be the first Starship V3 test from Pad 2 and features a redesigned booster that will water‑land off the Gulf of Mexico, while the Ship upper stage conducts a long suborbital flight and deploys 22 dummy Starlink satellites before reentry. The mission is expected to last a little over an hour, with a backup launch date possible on May 22 if weather or technical issues delay the start.

via Space|

#flight-12 #may-21-2026 #space-exploration