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SpaceX's first flight test of Starship V3 booster and ship taking place in a few weeks

Posted on 4/16/26 at 2:58 pm
Posted by The Pirate King
Pangu
Member since May 2014
67887 posts
Posted on 4/16/26 at 2:58 pm
SpaceX will be doing an important flight test in the next few weeks by launching Starship's upper stage to earth orbit. It will be necessary for Artemis III (2027) and beyond to use Starship for large capacity mass delivery to orbit, refueling, and landing on the moon.
Posted by The Pirate King
Pangu
Member since May 2014
67887 posts
Posted on 4/16/26 at 2:59 pm to
Video of successful static fire test that took place yesterday
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Posted by BillyGibbons
St. Somewhere
Member since Mar 2020
796 posts
Posted on 4/16/26 at 3:10 pm to
What's the target date for this?
Posted by TigerV
Member since Feb 2007
2920 posts
Posted on 4/16/26 at 3:12 pm to
Loading up booster again for more testing. Ready to see this thing launch
Posted by KosmoCramer
Member since Dec 2007
80450 posts
Posted on 4/16/26 at 3:33 pm to
quote:

What's the target date for this?


'A few weeks"
Posted by bluedragon
Birmingham
Member since May 2020
9411 posts
Posted on 4/16/26 at 5:24 pm to
Will they fix the toilet and heater first?

Or do the right thing and fire Boeing?
Posted by AlwysATgr
Member since Apr 2008
20786 posts
Posted on 4/16/26 at 7:48 pm to
quote:

Video of successful static fire test that took place yesterday



They turned on the power switch. Whoa Nellie!
Posted by Pettifogger
I don't really care, Margaret
Member since Feb 2012
87160 posts
Posted on 4/16/26 at 7:53 pm to
If Artemis launches are going to be even close to on schedule, it seems like we're going to have to have a ton of action from SpaceX starting now. Going to be fun.
Posted by TigerFanatic99
South Bend, Indiana
Member since Jan 2007
35728 posts
Posted on 4/16/26 at 8:04 pm to
quote:

If Artemis launches are going to be even close to on schedule, it seems like we're going to have to have a ton of action from SpaceX starting now. Going to be fun


Right. Artemis III only goes to low Earth orbit, but for Artimis IV Starship will need to go into low earth orbit and be refueled between 10 and 15 times with additional starship launches before heading to lunar orbit to meet up with Orion.

That's a lot of progress they need to make in the next 2 years, they will not perfect that at their current test rate.

If I'm being honest I expect Blue Origin will be selected for the initial lunar landings, just because they will beat Starship in getting to the moon.
Posted by Bengalbio
Member since Feb 2017
2191 posts
Posted on 4/16/26 at 9:05 pm to
quote:

If I'm being honest I expect Blue Origin will be selected for the initial lunar landings, just because they will beat Starship in getting to the moon.


Crazy how far ahead SpaceX eight years ago with the falcon heavy double booster landing.

They don’t seem so far ahead now.
Posted by jcaz
Laffy
Member since Aug 2014
19213 posts
Posted on 4/16/26 at 9:45 pm to
I predict we will need 2 flights with the usual profile for V3. If no kinks, we go orbital. Really wanna see them attempt a landing in Texas
Posted by LSU Jonno
Huntsville, AL
Member since Feb 2008
619 posts
Posted on 4/16/26 at 10:00 pm to
Blue Origin’s lander needs refueling to get to the moon too. What makes you think they are ahead?
Posted by aTmTexas Dillo
East Texas Lake
Member since Sep 2018
23729 posts
Posted on 4/16/26 at 10:02 pm to
You think this thing will ever take mankind to the moon?
Posted by The Pirate King
Pangu
Member since May 2014
67887 posts
Posted on 4/16/26 at 10:48 pm to
quote:

Crazy how far ahead SpaceX eight years ago with the falcon heavy double booster landing. They don’t seem so far ahead now.
Blue Origin isn't even swimming in the same pool as SpaceX as it comes to a sustainable lunar presence. Is it possible they get a simplified apollo-style lander on Artemis IV? Sure. Will they replace Starship's mass launching capability for future missions? Absolutely not.

Both Blue Origin and NASA/SLS are only capable of half (or less than 1/3 in BO's case) of what Starship will be able to do.

Starship has 2x the takeoff thrust of the SLS rocket that just launched and 3-4x the mass launching capability of Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket.
Posted by The Pirate King
Pangu
Member since May 2014
67887 posts
Posted on 4/16/26 at 10:49 pm to
quote:

You think this thing will ever take mankind to the moon?


Never bet against Elon. It'll get done. Even if this test is less than successful, he'll get it right in the next 4 years.
Posted by LSUFanHouston
NOLA
Member since Jul 2009
40873 posts
Posted on 4/16/26 at 10:54 pm to
Confused why we need to refuel do much. Thought engines were not used much after lunar transit burn
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