SpaceX Starship V3 Clears Static Fire Campaign, Targets May for Landmark Orbital Demo Advancing Artemis HLS Path

SpaceX confirmed that Starship V3 (Integrated Flight Test 12) completed all full-stack static fire milestones by April 15 and shifted its orbital launch window from late April to early-to-mid May 2026, with the vehicle stacked at Starbase Pad 2 in Boca Chica, Texas, awaiting FAA launch license approval. The V3 design introduces substantial upgrades over previous versions: Raptor 3 engines with improved specific impulse, increased propellant capacity in both Ship and Super Heavy booster, upgraded heat shield tile bonding, and structural reinforcements — collectively targeting over 100 metric tons to low Earth orbit, roughly three times the payload capacity of Starship V2. The shift from the late-April window to May reflects SpaceX's deliberate decision to resolve thermal protection system improvements before proceeding. Flight 12 is a critical step in NASA's Artemis III Human Landing System qualification path: before SpaceX can certify Starship HLS for a crewed Orion rendezvous in Earth orbit (Artemis III, targeting 2027), the V3 variant must demonstrate reliable orbital flight and controlled recovery. The subsequent orbital propellant transfer campaign — estimated to require approximately 14+ tanker flights to fully fuel a lunar-capable HLS mission — remains a longer-term milestone yet to be scheduled. NASA teams at Johnson Space Center and Starbase continue parallel Artemis III HLS mission design work ahead of the orbital demo.