SpaceX conducted its 12th Integrated Flight Test (IFT-12) of the Starship system on May 22, 2026, marking the debut of the upgraded Starship V3 configuration.

The Super Heavy Booster 19 and Starship Ship 39 launched from the new OLP-2 pad at Starbase, Texas, after an initial cancellation the previous day due to a ground system issue.

The flight showcased significant technological advances, including the new Raptor 3 engines and structural improvements designed to increase thrust and reduce mass.The booster produced record thrust at liftoff with all 33 engines initially functioning, but the mission soon encountered complications.One engine failed during ascent, and later multiple Raptor engines in the booster did not ignite properly during the return burn sequence.

A subsequent engine explosion led to the loss of additional engines, ultimately preventing controlled recovery of the booster, which disintegrated during its high-speed descent and impacted the ocean.Despite these issues, the Starship upper stage performed more successfully.It completed a near-orbital trajectory and deployed 22 Starlink mass simulators, including two instrumented test units.One vacuum Raptor engine failed during flight, requiring an extended burn using remaining engines.The spacecraft then executed a controlled reentry, demonstrating improved aerodynamic stability and heat shield resilience.

It performed a complex descent maneuver and successfully achieved a planned splashdown in the Indian Ocean after approximately one hour and six minutes of flight.The mission also tested upgraded payload deployment systems and reentry control behaviors.

While the booster failure and engine reliability issues highlight ongoing engineering challenges in the Raptor 3 architecture, the overall mission is considered a partial success, advancing SpaceX’s iterative development toward full orbital and reusable Starship operations.