SpaceX launches giant Starship V3 for first time in major debut test
Photo: Starship V3 rocket launch (x.com/SpaceX)
SpaceX conducted the first test flight of its upgraded Starship V3 rocket, according to CNN.
How the launch went
Starship lifted off from SpaceX's Texas base, with all 33 Raptor engines igniting successfully without issues. The spacecraft entered a suborbital trajectory and deployed 22 mock satellites, two of which were equipped with cameras to capture the performance of the thermal shield.
However, several issues occurred during the mission. The Super Heavy booster did not complete its full "boost-back" burn, which is required for a controlled landing. On the spacecraft itself, only five of six engines ignited, preventing it from reaching the intended orbit. Despite this, the trajectory remained within acceptable parameters. A second in-space engine relight was not conducted.
Liftoff of Starship! pic.twitter.com/LQLdjK5V6K
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) May 22, 2026
During landing, only two of the three engines were operating, but the atmospheric re-entry and splashdown proceeded as planned. SpaceX employees greeted the landing with applause.
Photo: https://x.com/SpaceX
Photo: https://x.com/SpaceX
Photo: https://x.com/SpaceX
What's next
Starship V3 is capable of delivering 150 to 250 tons of cargo into orbit. The cost of a single launch, according to financial reporting from a SpaceX customer, could be around $90 million — compared to $60–75 million for a Falcon 9 launch, which has a payload capacity of 22.8 tons. SpaceX plans to use Starship for satellite deployments, deep-space missions, and NASA astronaut landings on the Moon in 2028.
The launch was preceded by technical difficulties. On Thursday, SpaceX canceled the first attempt to launch Starship V3 after engineers failed to resolve last-minute issues before liftoff.
Earlier, RBC-Ukraine reported that the V3 version marks a new phase — preparation for real deep-space missions.
