TECHNOLOGY

SpaceX completes Starship V3 test, assesses booster recovery

PUBLISHED May 21, 2026, 10:49 AM ET

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Media Bias Meter

Sources: 7

Center 71%

Right 29%

Sources: 7

Texas, United States: SpaceX launched the twelfth integrated test flight of its Starship V3 and Super Heavy booster from Starbase at 5:30 p.m. CT on Friday, marking the debut of the redesigned vehicle and the new Raptor 3 engines after an earlier scrub on May 22. The flight executed a successful hot-staging sequence despite one engine shutting down; the booster performed partial boostback and ultimately splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico while the upper stage continued, deployed modified Starlink satellites and simulators, and later splashed down in the Indian Ocean, prompting post-flight analysis and follow-up preparations this week.

By Sarah Whitman | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

May 20: SpaceX files SEC prospectus disclosing Starship spending and IPO plans.
May 21: Company schedules the twelfth integrated Starship test flight from Starbase, Texas.
May 22: Initial launch attempt scrubbed due to hydraulic pin anomaly and fuel readings.
May 23: Starship V3 launches at 5:30 p.m. CT; hot-staging succeeds; one engine loss recorded.
May 23 (later): Booster splashes down in Gulf; upper stage deploys payloads and splashes down in Indian Ocean.

News Intelligence

SpaceX's Starship V3 test impacts your wallet. It's a step towards cheaper space travel and global internet coverage. If you're an investor, watch SpaceX's IPO plans. For the rest of us, cheaper satellite internet could be on the horizon.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 7
Right Leaning:: 2
Left Leaning:: 0
Neutral:: 5

Who Benefited

SpaceX and its commercial partners gained operational data validating the Raptor 3 engines and Starlink deployment, strengthening the company’s technical case ahead of planned commercial and NASA missions.

Who Impacted

The partial loss of the Super Heavy booster recovery and in-flight engine anomalies resulted in hardware loss and highlighted remaining technical risks for SpaceX’s Starship development program.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 7
Right Leaning:: 2
Left Leaning:: 0
Neutral:: 5
Distribution:: Left 0%, Center 71%, Right 29%

Who Benefited

Who Impacted

The partial loss of the Super Heavy booster recovery and in-flight engine anomalies resulted in hardware loss and highlighted remaining technical risks for SpaceX’s Starship development program.