SpaceX sent its upgraded Starship V3 skyward from South Texas on May 22, marking the first flight of the new variant and the 12th integrated test of the Starship system since testing began in 2023. The uncrewed mission launched from a newly constructed pad at Starbase, deployed mock Starlink satellites, and ended with a controlled splashdown in the Indian Ocean.
The vehicle encountered engine issues during reentry, but the core objectives were met.
What’s new with Starship V3
SpaceX made significant upgrades to both the upper-stage ship and the Super Heavy booster, targeting improvements in three areas: thrust, reusability, and payload capacity.
These enhancements matter because SpaceX isn’t building Starship just to launch things into orbit. The vehicle is central to NASA’s Artemis lunar program, future satellite constellation deployments, and eventually, missions that go much farther than the Moon.
