Elon Musk Confirms Starship IFT-12 Is 4–6 Weeks Away — Third Slip Targets May 2026

Elon Musk confirmed on April 3, 2026 that SpaceX's next Starship integrated flight test — IFT-12, the maiden voyage of the V3 architecture — is approximately 4–6 weeks away, placing the launch window in early-to-mid May 2026. This marks the third schedule slip for IFT-12 in 2026 alone: Musk had previously indicated a March target in January, pushed back to April in early March, and now pushed again to May. The primary remaining milestone is a full 33-engine static fire of Super Heavy Booster 19, which carries the first generation of Raptor 3 engines and features the new taller V3 booster geometry. The 10-engine partial static fire on March 16 validated the Raptor 3 ignition sequence but ended prematurely due to a ground support equipment issue. All 33 engines are being installed on Booster 19 at the Starbase production facility, with static fire preparations to follow. IFT-12 will be the most technically ambitious Starship test yet: the V3 Super Heavy is taller, more powerful, and configured for the full mechanical catch recovery, while Ship 39 incorporates a redesigned heat shield and expanded propellant volume.