SpaceX has successfully completed a full-duration static fire test of its next-generation Starship upper stage, bringing the most powerful rocket ever built one step closer to its first launch. The test took place on April 14, at the company’s Starbase facility in South Texas, and marks a significant milestone in the lead-up to a planned May liftoff.
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SpaceX carried out a static fire test of its Starship V3, firing the rocket’s engines while it remained secured to the launch pad. The private company confirmed the test was completed in full, describing it as the first of its kind for the new Version 3 vehicle.
The data from the test will be reviewed in detail as engineers assess engine performance, fuel delivery, and vehicle stability during the burn. This analysis will help them prepare for the next big step, which is a full test of both rocket stages as they move closer to launch.
Starship V3 Brings Bigger Size and Power
The V3 is a major upgrade from its earlier versions in almost every way. When fully built, the rocket stands just over 408 feet tall, making it slightly larger than Version 2. The real difference, however, is in raw power. The V3 is capable of carrying more than 100 tons of cargo to low Earth orbit, nearly three times the capacity of the previous version. That improvement comes largely from a new generation of Raptor engines fitted to both the upper stage and the massive Super Heavy booster below it.
The latest test comes after an earlier attempt to fire the V3 booster stage ended prematurely due to a problem with ground equipment. However, Tuesday’s successful upper stage test will give SpaceX’s engineers far greater confidence as they push toward the vehicle’s first launch, currently targeted for early to mid-May. This will officially be the twelfth overall test flight for the Starship program, but the first for the V3 configuration.
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