The first Starship V3 test transfer as part of Flight‑12 is scheduled for May 20.

SpaceX has postponed the launch of Starship V3 to Wednesday, May 20

The company SpaceX moved the first test flight of the new version of the Starship V3 rocket from its scheduled day (May 19) to Wednesday, May 20. This will be the twelfth test launch of the program since the beginning of 2023 and the first in seven months.

Where and when?

The mission will launch from the Starbase facility in Texas. The launch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time (1:30 a.m. Moscow time). The live broadcast will begin about half an hour before launch – at 5:45 p.m. (12:45 a.m. Moscow).

Preparation for flight

The final stage of preparation was completed after the full rehearsal held on May 11, 2026, at the South Texas test range. During the tests engineers checked key systems of the V3 megarocket in anticipation of the mission. According to SpaceX, the exact launch time may change: historically Starship launch windows have varied from 30 minutes to two hours, so the rocket could lift off later than scheduled.

Restrictions for local residents

Local authorities preemptively imposed traffic restrictions near the site. Public roads adjacent to the launch complex and the nearby beach are closed from May 19 through May 21 inclusive to ensure the safety of the tests.

Thus, SpaceX is preparing for another important step in the development of Starship V3, and the public can watch the launch via the official broadcast.