SpaceX Starship V3 Completes First Test Flight

SpaceX Starship V3 Completes First Test Flight

SpaceX successfully launched and landed its Starship V3 rocket and Super Heavy booster on Friday, May 22, 2026, from its Starbase facility in South Texas. The 408-foot-tall rocket, the largest ever constructed, completed its flight with a targeted splashdown in the Indian Ocean approximately one hour after liftoff, marking a significant advancement in the Starship program.

The test flight demonstrated several key operational successes. The Starship's heat shield and aerodynamic flaps performed as intended during re-entry, a critical improvement over previous versions. The vehicle executed a controlled descent and a final landing burn, culminating in an on-target water landing.

Additionally, the upgraded payload deployment mechanism successfully released 20 mockup Starlink satellites and two inspection spacecraft, showcasing its enhanced capacity for future satellite deployments.

The Starship V3 reached a maximum altitude of 121 miles (195 kilometers) and is designed to carry up to 100 metric tons of payload into low-Earth orbit. This flight represents the 12th test flight for the Starship program and the first for the V3 iteration, which incorporates design improvements based on previous test campaigns. The new launch pad at Starbase also withstood the launch without significant issues, providing a template for future launch facilities.