SpaceX’s mammoth Starship rocket could be getting off the ground for the first time in 2026 in just a matter of hours.
Seven months have elapsed since billionaire Elon Musk’s commercial spaceflight company last launched the world’s largest rocket from South Texas. Since that October test flight, SpaceX teams have been working to prepare a next-generation version of Starship for its highly-anticipated debut.
What makes this prototype of Starship, known as Version 3, a big deal? Not only is it bigger and more powerful than ever, but SpaceX also intends for this to be the Starship model that can travel and refuel in orbit – enabling long spaceflights to distant destinations like the moon and Mars.
If you’re invested in tracking ventures like NASA’s Artemis moon program – or even SpaceX’s frequent Starlink satellite launches – you won’t want to miss it.
Here’s how you can watch SpaceX launch its Starship rocket for the 12th time since April 2023.
Is Starship launching today? SpaceX targets flight 12
SpaceX is now working toward a Starship launch Thursday, May 21, the company announced. The 90-minute launch window for Starship’s 12th flight test is set to open at 6:30 p.m. ET at Starbase, SpaceX’s company town and headquarters in Texas near the U.S.-Mexico border.
The target date comes after SpaceX has twice delayed the launch by 24 hours after originally indicating that it was working toward a May 19 launch of the world’s largest rocket. No reasons have been given for either delay.
How to watch Starship launch live
The launch will be available to stream on SpaceX’s website and its new X TV mobile app, beginning about 45 minutes before liftoff. SpaceX will also provide updates on social media site X.
“As is the case with all developmental testing, the schedule is dynamic and likely to change,” SpaceX said on its website.
Follow FLORIDA TODAY coverage of Starship launch
FLORIDA TODAY, part of the USA TODAY Network, will provide live coverage starting 90 minutes before launch at floridatoday.com/space. Live updates will be available here.
What is Starship? World’s largest rocket bound for moon, Mars
Standing at more than 400 feet tall when fully stacked, Starship is regarded as the world’s largest and most powerful rocket.
SpaceX is developing the rocket to be a fully reusable transportation system, meaning both the rocket and vehicle can return to the ground for additional missions.
In the years ahead, a lunar lander configuration of Starship will be critical to NASA’s ambitions of returning astronauts to the moon under its Artemis program. Musk additionally dreams of sending humans aboard Starship to colonize Mars.
Closer to home, Starship is designed to carry larger versions of the company’s Starlink internet satellites and other payloads to Earth orbit.
See photos of Starship rocket launches
What is flight 12? SpaceX to debut Version 3 (V3) of Starship
At 407 feet tall, the next-generation Starship due to launch will be the largest version of the vehicle SpaceX has ever built. If all goes to plan, that prototype, known as Version 3 (V3,) will be the one to reach orbit and be capable of refueling midflight – a capability that will allow for distant missions into space.
Similar to previous designs, the fully integrated spacecraft is composed of both a 236-foot-tall lower-stage booster known as Super Heavy, as well as a 171-foot-tall upper stage simply called Starship. Powered by 33 of SpaceX’s Raptor-class engines, the booster provides the initial burst of thrust at liftoff, while the vehicle is where the crew and cargo would ride in orbit after the stages separate.
The main objective of the flight test, as SpaceX explained online, is simply to test both new pieces of hardware “in the flight environment for the first time.”
Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@usatodayco.com. Subscribe to the free Florida TODAY newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Here’s how to watch SpaceX launch its Starship rocket for 12th time
Reporting by Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Florida Today
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
