SpaceX is edging toward the 12th launch of its Starship rocket, which this time will see a new version of the massive vehicle head skyward. The launch team has just completed a crucial test of the Starship’s first stage — the Super Heavy — at its Starbase facility in Boca Chica,

SpaceX has begun work to expand its Starship launch complex in South Texas as it prepares to handle as many as 25 launches and landings a year.

Footage shows SpaceX conducting a static fire test of the 'Flight 3' Starship's six Raptor engines at their Starbase facility in South Texas. Credit: Space.com | footage courtesy: SpaceX | edited by S

With the upcoming launch, SpaceX is eager to prove Starship V3’s readiness for more ambitious test flights, including an important orbital refueling experiment considered a stepping stone toward sending future Starships to the Moon, Mars, and other distant destinations.

SpaceX plans to launch the 12th test flight of its Starship megarocket in six weeks, according to Elon Musk. It will be the first mission of the bigger, more powerful Starship "V3."

In a welcome return to active flight vehicle testing after setbacks and facility upgrades, SpaceX made strong progress with Super Heavy Booster 19 (B19) at its Massey’s test site before returning it to Mega Bay 1 for engine installation.

The first Starship test flight of 2026 is scheduled for as soon as early March as SpaceX enters a critical year in the vehicle’s development.

SpaceX Starship and its Super Heavy booster launching. Watch view of the liftoff in slow motion from a launch tower camera. Footage courtesy SpaceX | mash mix by Space.com's Steve Spaleta

SpaceX's Starship, the world's largest rocket, has inspired several Chinese companies to develop similar spacecraft designs.

SpaceX Starship V4 tanker should be ready in 2027 which should reduce the number of tanker refills for lunar missions down to 5 or 6. IF 1200 to 1400 flights