SPACEX is aiming to launch the first flight of its next-generation Starship rocket as early as mid-March, according to statements by company founder Elon Musk cited by Space.com.
Musk said Starship “Version 3,” the largest and most powerful iteration of the fully reusable launch system to date, is expected to be ready for flight in about six weeks, pending final technical preparations and regulatory approvals. The mission would mark the 12th integrated test flight of the Starship program and the first to use the Version 3 design.
Starship V3 incorporates significant upgrades over earlier versions, including improved Raptor engines and structural changes intended to increase reliability and payload capacity. The vehicle is designed to eventually carry more than 100 metric tons to low Earth orbit, a key requirement for SpaceX’s long-term plans for lunar missions, Mars exploration, and large-scale commercial launches.
The test flight is expected to lift off from SpaceX’s Starbase facility in Texas. As with previous Starship tests, the mission will focus on validating vehicle performance rather than deploying payloads, with data from the flight used to guide further design refinements.
Starship is central to SpaceX’s broader launch strategy. NASA has selected a Starship-derived vehicle as the lunar lander for its Artemis program, while SpaceX also plans to use the system for future Mars missions and high-volume satellite deployment.
The Starship program has progressed through a series of rapid, iterative test flights over the past year, achieving milestones such as successful stage separation and controlled splashdowns, while also encountering setbacks typical of experimental launch development.
SpaceX has not announced a firm launch date. Any March attempt will depend on vehicle readiness and clearance from U.S. regulators, Space.com reported.
