Starship IFT-12: Ship 39 Completes Cryoloading Preflight Objectives at Starbase

SpaceX's Starship Ship 39 — the first V3 Starship upper stage — completed multiple cryogenic propellant loading preflight test objectives at Starbase, Boca Chica, on March 31, 2026. The cryoloading tests are a critical step in clearing the vehicle for its integrated static fire and eventual integrated flight test with Booster 19 (V3 Super Heavy). Booster 19, equipped with Raptor 3 engines, had been previously rolled out to Pad 2, Starbase's second orbital launch mount built specifically for V3-scale hardware. The FAA had already granted SpaceX a launch license window for Starship IFT-12 covering April 5 through October 5, 2026. SpaceX was targeting a late-April launch following the completion of a full 33-engine booster static fire. IFT-12 will be the first flight of the V3 Starship configuration and the first to use Raptor 3 engines, with target payload capacity exceeding 100 metric tons to LEO (reusable).