SpaceX fuels up Starship V3 megarocket for 1st time ahead of crucial test flight (photos)
Yahoo • • science
Key Points:
- SpaceX has fueled its new Starship Version 3 (V3) megarocket for the first time, preparing for a critical test flight that could occur as soon as May 19.
- The fully stacked Starship V3 and Super Heavy booster, standing about 408 feet tall, underwent a successful launch rehearsal involving the loading of over 5,000 metric tonnes of liquid oxygen and methane propellant.
- Starship V3 represents the first variant capable of deep space exploration, with Flight 12 marking its debut, and is integral to NASA's Artemis program for moon exploration as one of two crewed lunar landers.
- NASA plans to test the Starship lander alongside Blue Origin’s Blue Moon on Artemis 3, with a potential lunar landing on Artemis 4 targeted for late 2028, depending on vehicle readiness.
- Despite progress, Starship still requires further milestones, including life-support system integration, orbital flight, and off-Earth propellant transfer, before it can be fully operational.