Image: Starbase, Texas / Elon Musk
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has confirmed that the debut flight of the company’s V3 (version 3) Starship is roughly four weeks away. The update, shared on March 7, 2026, places the highly anticipated launch of Flight 12 in early April at the Starbase facility in Texas.
This upcoming mission represents a major generational shift for the program. While previous versions proved that the world’s largest rocket could reach space and return, the V3 is the first iteration designed for the heavy lifting required to reach Mars. The new ship is slightly taller than its predecessors, standing at approximately 124 metres, and is built to carry over 100 tonnes of cargo to orbit.
The most significant change is the move to the Raptor 3 engine. These upgraded engines are lighter and cheaper to produce, yet they provide nearly double the thrust of the original design. The rocket’s Super Heavy booster is also sporting a new look, moving from four steering fins down to three. These new “grid fins” are 50% larger and much stronger, which will help the massive booster navigate back to the launch tower for a mid-air catch.
Teams in South Texas are currently putting the Flight 12 hardware through its final paces. The upper stage, known as Ship 39, recently completed critical pressure testing to ensure its tanks can handle the stress of flight. Meanwhile, Booster 19 is being prepared for its first static fire test, which will be the first time the public sees the full power of the Raptor 3 engines on the launch pad.
This flight is a cornerstone for NASA’s future as well. The V3 hardware includes specialized docking ports and sensors that will eventually allow Starships to refuel each other while orbiting the Earth. This space gas station capability is a requirement for NASA’s Artemis missions, which aim to land astronauts back on the moon later this decade.
Key Technical Differences in the V3 Design
The Starship V3 is more than just a taller rocket. Its primary advantage is a massive increase in payload capacity, which is roughly three times what the V2 could manage. This is made possible by the Raptor 3 engines, which eliminate many of the complex external pipes and sensors seen on older models, making them more reliable and powerful.
On the booster side, the reduction to three grid fins is a calculated engineering move. By making the fins larger and repositioning them lower on the rocket, SpaceX can better control the booster during its high-speed descent. This lower placement also protects the steering hardware from the intense heat generated by the upper stage engines during separation. Under the hood, the V3 also features upgraded electronics and larger fuel tanks to support the longer-duration missions Musk has planned for the near future.
These Starship launches are so exciting. We can’t wait to see V3 Starship make its debut next month. Is “in about 4 weeks” the new “in 2 weeks” that Musk used to say for Tesla dates?