SpaceX is poised to resume Starship testing after a winter pause, offering a new spectacle as the Artemis II lunar mission faces further delays due to ongoing technical issues with the SLS rocket, according to reports.
The upcoming flight, anticipated as early as March 9th (though unconfirmed), will showcase the third generation of Starship, known as V3 (Block 3). All vehicles of this class slated for launch in 2026 represent a significant departure from the Block 2 version, which concluded its testing phase with flight test #11 in Fall 2025.
This advancement signals SpaceX’s progress in prototype development and a move toward production-ready versions of its super-heavy launch vehicle. The development of reusable rocket technology is crucial for reducing the cost of space access and enabling more frequent missions.
Starship FT-12 (Flight Test 12)
- When: No earlier than March 9th (unconfirmed, most frequent estimate)
- What: Debut of Starship V3 (Super Heavy B19, ship S39)
- Trajectory: Transatmospheric (similar to 2025 flight paths)
- Mission: V3 testing, details currently undisclosed
Raptor 3 Engine Debut
A key technological innovation is the long-awaited integration of Raptor 3 engines, powered by liquid methane.
Unlike previous generations that required complex external shielding to protect plumbing, wiring, and sensors from engine heat, the Raptor 3 features a unique 3D-printed construction. This design better integrates secondary flow paths and introduces regenerative cooling for all exposed components.
A comparative view of three generations of the Raptor rocket engine
The new design dramatically simplifies the propulsion section of Super Heavy. Eliminating individual heat shields and associated fire suppression systems reduces the dry weight of the rocket by hundreds of kilograms per engine and significantly shortens maintenance time between flights – at least, according to SpaceX.
Lighter Booster for Reduced Drag
The Super Heavy first stage’s structure has also been refined, with a focus on reducing weight and aerodynamic drag during the initial phase of atmospheric flight, where most of the fuel is consumed.
Efficiency is paramount for Starship, as it must carry the maximum possible amount of methane and oxygen to orbit to serve as a refueling station for further Starship launches.
Super Heavy B19 during testing in early February. This first stage will be used for FT-12
While these concepts may sound like science fiction, this maneuver is essential for missions like Artemis III. A specially modified Starship HLS (Human Landing System) will refuel in orbit before continuing to the Moon, where astronauts traveling in the Orion spacecraft will transfer to it for lunar landing.
Further changes in V3 include a reduction in the number of grid fins, which have been reinforced and enlarged. These fins will now also be used for capture by Mechazilla, which previously relied on welded pins. Those pins have been removed, saving additional weight.
Larger Ship with Docking for Refueling
The second stage – the ship itself – is slightly taller in the V3 version, bringing the overall rocket height to approximately 124.4 meters, up from 121.3 meters in V1 (Block 1). A new hybrid shield, combining ceramic with a special ablative layer and metallic elements, is also included.
An artist’s rendering of the Starship HLS and Orion spacecraft near the Moon on the Artemis III mission. The timeline for this mission remains uncertain.
SpaceX has tested each previous atmospheric reentry, noting that areas of the hull burning away are not defects but tests of the thermal protection system’s durability.
Fuel transfer from one Starship to another. Currently depicted only in artist renderings.
V3 also includes a full-fledged docking system for connecting two ships in orbit and the aforementioned fuel transfer capabilities.
Hopes are high that the new generation of Starship will perform as expected, and that a dual-Starship maneuver will be demonstrated later this year, potentially even before the summer.
First Launch from New OLP-2 Pad
Flight test number 12 (FT-12) is scheduled for no earlier than March 9th and will be the first launch from Orbital Launch Pad 2 (OLP-2). The construction of the second pad at the Texas spaceport, along with ongoing upgrades in Florida, is intended to accelerate launch cadence.
A February 9th, 2026 satellite image of the Boca Chica spaceport from the European Sentinel-2 satellite. The dark shadows belong to OLP-2 and OLP-1 (right). A construction site is still visible to the left of OLP-2 in standard maps.
If all goes according to plan, FT-12 will be the last transatmospheric test flight, with subsequent launches targeting actual low Earth orbit.
This would mean the vehicle could complete at least one full orbit of the planet and finally achieve a controlled landing in Texas on the arms of Mechazilla.
