Overview
- Elon Musk said on X that the next Starship flight is about six weeks away, pointing to Flight 12 as the maiden test of the larger V3 vehicle with new Raptor 3 engines.
- SpaceX is preparing hardware at Starbase, with integration of a new Super Heavy booster and ship underway for the first V3 stack.
- Starship V3 is designed to carry heavier next‑generation Starlink satellites and to support docking for in‑orbit propellant transfer needed for Moon and Mars missions.
- Raptor 3 engines are reported to deliver roughly 280 metric tons of thrust versus about 230 for Raptor 2, while targeting lower weight and cost.
- The schedule remains contingent on a still-unresolved November booster explosion during gas‑system pressure testing and on obtaining an FAA launch license.