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Starship Flight 12 - Target date, April 9th
Posted on 3/8/26 at 12:35 pm
Posted on 3/8/26 at 12:35 pm
This version is likely what will land on the moon due to NASA typically liking to lock in with one version of something and perfect it. It also will likely be the first version caught by the chopsticks. V4+ will likely be used as the refueling vessel though. This should be awesomely exciting.
Starship Flight 12, targeting an aggressive launch date around April 9, 2026, marks the debut of the upgraded Block 3 (Version 3) vehicle stack, featuring Ship 39 and Booster 19. This mission aims to test significant hardware upgrades, including new Raptor V3 engines and improved thermal protection. It is the first flight to potentially utilize the second launch pad at Starbase.
Key Details and Objectives:
Target Date: Early April 2026 (approx. 4 weeks from early March).
Hardware: Utilizing Ship 39 and Booster 19, which feature enhanced thermal protection and a redesigned quick disconnect plate for future refueling, according to NASASpaceFlight.com.
Upgrades: The Block 3 configuration introduces Raptor V3 engines and increased methane storage capacity due to reshaped domes, reports BASENOR - Tesla Accessories.
Testing Phase: Ship 39 has already undergone cryogenic loading and, as described in this YouTube video, structural testing, indicating imminent readiness.
Mission Profile: The flight will likely focus on proving the V3 hardware, with both booster and ship aiming for splashdown, as noted on RocketLaunch.Live.
Starship Flight 12, targeting an aggressive launch date around April 9, 2026, marks the debut of the upgraded Block 3 (Version 3) vehicle stack, featuring Ship 39 and Booster 19. This mission aims to test significant hardware upgrades, including new Raptor V3 engines and improved thermal protection. It is the first flight to potentially utilize the second launch pad at Starbase.
Key Details and Objectives:
Target Date: Early April 2026 (approx. 4 weeks from early March).
Hardware: Utilizing Ship 39 and Booster 19, which feature enhanced thermal protection and a redesigned quick disconnect plate for future refueling, according to NASASpaceFlight.com.
Upgrades: The Block 3 configuration introduces Raptor V3 engines and increased methane storage capacity due to reshaped domes, reports BASENOR - Tesla Accessories.
Testing Phase: Ship 39 has already undergone cryogenic loading and, as described in this YouTube video, structural testing, indicating imminent readiness.
Mission Profile: The flight will likely focus on proving the V3 hardware, with both booster and ship aiming for splashdown, as noted on RocketLaunch.Live.
2
Posted on 3/8/26 at 12:39 pm to KosmoCramer
0% chance the launch will be on April 9.
Posted on 3/8/26 at 1:01 pm to LSURussian
You're right it's unlikely with a new ship and potentially new launch mount, but all the cryo test have been completed.
Just exciting to get an official target date
Just exciting to get an official target date
Posted on 3/8/26 at 1:31 pm to LSURussian
quote:
0% chance the launch will be on April 9.
Why is that?
Posted on 3/8/26 at 1:54 pm to KosmoCramer
Makes no sense to have both this and the SLS going to the Moon now.
Posted on 3/8/26 at 4:17 pm to GeorgeTheGreek
quote:
Makes no sense to have both this and the SLS going to the Moon now.
It never did.
Posted on 3/8/26 at 5:07 pm to LSURussian
*Warning I’m no expert in this and I’m up to changing my opinion on this. I feel like NASA has not done shite in forever.
I have zero faith in NASA.
I have zero faith in NASA.
Posted on 3/8/26 at 5:23 pm to BogeyTX
quote:
I have zero faith in NASA.
The new NASA Admin (Issacman) is a breath of fresh air.
ETA: he may be the most visionary man in NASA leadership since Wernher.
This post was edited on 3/8/26 at 5:29 pm
Posted on 3/8/26 at 8:44 pm to GeorgeTheGreek
quote:
Makes no sense to have both this and the SLS going to the Moon now.
With the revised SLS planning, it’s possible that SLS won’t go to the moon. The third flight is to stay Earth orbit and test docking with the lunar lander (similar to Apollo 9). By the time that’s done Starship and New Glenn might be alternatives.
Posted on 3/8/26 at 9:49 pm to Free888
quote:
With the revised SLS planning, it’s possible that SLS won’t go to the moon. The third flight is to stay Earth orbit and test docking with the lunar lander (similar to Apollo 9). By the time that’s done Starship and New Glenn might be alternatives.
I didn’t realize they made this change. Wow. That sucks.
Posted on 3/9/26 at 9:15 am to GeorgeTheGreek
quote:
I didn’t realize they made this change. Wow. That sucks.
Isaacman announced it about a week ago. They're only going to focus on Block 1, and try and up the manufacturing cadence so they can get the launch timing down from 2-3 years to 1 Year (10 months as a stretch goal). The question is whether Blue Origin or SpaceX can get human rating for their heavy lift vehicles. I'm not clear whether the human rating relates to launch only. If so, this could open up the options.
Posted on 3/9/26 at 9:20 am to LSURussian
quote:
0% chance the launch will be on April 9.
Obviously will be moved to 4/20
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