SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, will conduct the first uncrewed test flight of the next-generation spacecraft "Starship V3" on the 22nd (Korea time). Within the Starship system, this is the 12th test flight.
SpaceX said on the 19th (local time) on its website that it will launch Starship V3 from a new pad at Starbase in Texas.
The launch also serves as a key proving ground ahead of SpaceX's initial public offering (IPO) expected next month. The market sees whether Starship V3's performance is validated as a major variable that could gauge SpaceX's technological prowess and corporate value. Reuters said the flight is an important event that could influence investor sentiment ahead of the IPO.
Starship V3 is a next-generation launch vehicle developed with crewed exploration of the moon and Mars in mind. Its first-stage booster, "Super Heavy," is equipped with 33 Raptor engines and has been upgraded to reduce weight while increasing thrust. New features include on-orbit docking, propellant transfer, and improved maneuverability.
SpaceX has been wrapping up final preparations, including completing a static fire test igniting all 33 Raptor engines on Super Heavy V3.
However, the vehicles will not be recovered on this flight. The Super Heavy booster will splash down in the Gulf of Mexico about seven minutes after liftoff, and the upper Starship spacecraft is slated to descend into the Indian Ocean about an hour later. During the flight, 20 Starlink simulators and two satellites for observing the heat shield will be deployed.
Verification of Starship V3's performance is also tied to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Artemis program, the plan to return to the moon. SpaceX is developing a lunar lander based on Starship, and if this flight proceeds stably, the buildup of a long-distance space transportation system is expected to accelerate.