SpaceX's Starship V3 megarocket finally has a debut launch date. Here's when it will fly
Space • • business
Key Points:
- SpaceX plans to launch its advanced Starship V3 megarocket for the first time on May 19 from its Starbase site in South Texas, aiming to demonstrate improvements that could enable lunar and Mars missions.
- The V3 Super Heavy booster features design upgrades including three larger, stronger grid fins for better steering and a redesigned fuel transfer system allowing simultaneous startup of all 33 Raptor engines.
- The Starship upper stage has been significantly redesigned with a new propulsion system, increased propellant capacity, and off-Earth fuel transfer capabilities crucial for deep-space missions.
- The maiden flight will deploy 22 dummy Starlink V2 satellites and test in-space engine relighting, with the booster planned to splash down in the Gulf of Mexico and the Ship in the Indian Ocean.
- This launch also marks the debut of Starbase's Pad 2, which offers faster fueling and improved booster-catching technology, although the booster will not attempt a return-to-launch-site catch on this first test of the redesigned vehicle.