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SpaceX's Starship V3 Test Launch May 21, 2026

5/21/2026

Summary

SpaceX Launches Starship

SpaceX will attempt Starship V3’s flight on May 21, 2026 from Starbase in South Texas.
The 12th test flight, V3’s debut, will carry 20 dummy and two modified Starlink satellites.
V3’s engines deliver a 10 % and 14 % thrust increase, boosting capacity from 35 tons to 100 tons.
Super Heavy will splash in the Gulf of Mexico, with Starship following 65 minutes later in the Indian Ocean.
NASA has contracted Starship for Artemis III (late 2027) and Artemis IV (2028).

Summary

Falcon 9 Landings

Falcon 9 booster B1077 will attempt its 28th flight landing on the droneship “A Shortfall of Gravitas,” ship’s 150th landing and the 613th booster landing.
Falcon 9 booster B1103 completed its flight, landing on the droneship “Of Course I Still Love You,” its 197th ship landing and the 612th booster landing.
The Cape Canaveral launch, with a 90 percent chance of good weather, will have Spaceflight Now stream coverage before liftoff.

History

Historical Context

In April 1981 NASA launched Space Shuttle Columbia, the first reusable orbital vehicle, beginning a program that would fly 28 missions and accumulate over 300 days in space. After Columbia’s loss in 2003, NASA shifted to commercial partners, and SpaceX’s Starship V3 test today demonstrates the same reusable-flight concept that Columbia pioneered.

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SpaceX Launches Starship

SpaceX will attempt Starship V3’s flight on May 21, 2026 from Starbase in South Texas.
The 12th test flight, V3’s debut, will carry 20 dummy and two modified Starlink satellites.
V3’s engines deliver a 10 % and 14 % thrust increase, boosting capacity from 35 tons to 100 tons.
Super Heavy will splash in the Gulf of Mexico, with Starship following 65 minutes later in the Indian Ocean.
NASA has contracted Starship for Artemis III (late 2027) and Artemis IV (2028).

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