Elon Musk’s aerospace company SpaceX is ready to launch its upgraded Version 3 of Starship on Thursday ahead of its highly anticipated Initial Public Offering (IPO).
The high-stakes test flight is notable for the company as the success of the launch could shape investor confidence related to the IPO, currently expected in June 2026.
The massive rocket is set to take off from its launchpad in southern Texas on Thursday, May 21, 2026, from Starbase, Texas. The launch window opens at 6:30 p.m. EDT (10:30 p.m. GMT).
The highly-awaiting test flight comes a day after SpaceX filed with US financial regulators to go public, which will be a record-breaking IPO ranging between $1.5 trillion and $1.75 trillion.
Talking about V3 features, the rocket, roughly 407 feet tall, includes a redesigned, more powerful and lighter propulsion system, enhanced avionics to support long-duration spaceflight, such as in-orbit docking and refueling.
The launch will mark the vehicle’s 12th test flight and its first in seven months. The primary purpose of the mission is to flight-test recent design improvement. The company will not try to land a booster at the launch site.
The test flight is also important for pursuing NASA’s Artemis mission where Starship is expected to serve as the Human Landing System for future Moon missions.
This is SpaceX’s Flight 12 test mission and the first-ever launch of the new “Version 3” Starship system. You can watch the launch live stream through SpaceX on X and SpaceX Launch Page. For alternative live coverage you can watch on NASA Spaceflight YouTube.
