On April 24, 2026, SpaceX officially unveiled its next-generation Starship V3 series, a comprehensive overhaul of the company’s heavy-lift launch system designed to achieve full and rapid reusability. During a presentation at the Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas, Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk detailed the transition from the experimental V2 architecture to the production-ready V3, which includes a redesigned spacecraft, an advanced Super Heavy booster, and the integration of Raptor 3 engines. The announcement coincides with the three-year anniversary of the first integrated Starship flight test.
The Starship V3 vehicle stands at a total height of 124.4 meters, or approximately 408.1 feet, making it the tallest rocket ever built. The Super Heavy booster, designated Booster 19, is powered by 33 Raptor 3 engines that generate approximately 16.7 million pounds-force of thrust. According to technical data released by the company, this configuration provides more than double the thrust of the Apollo-era Saturn V. The V3 architecture is designed to carry a payload of 100 to 150 metric tons to Low Earth Orbit in a fully reusable configuration, or up to 250 metric tons if the booster is expended.
In addition to the vehicle upgrades, SpaceX confirmed the activation of a second launch pad at Starbase, known as Pad 2. This expansion is intended to support a higher launch cadence as the company prepares for Flight 12, the first mission to utilize the V3 hardware, currently targeted for May 2026. Chief Operating Officer Gwynne Shotwell noted that the new infrastructure includes upgraded recovery arms and a high-capacity propellant farm designed for rapid turnaround. SpaceX also filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission for a new ground-based gateway station in Bastrop, Texas, named First of Its Name, which will support gigabit-class Starlink speeds enabled by V3 satellite deployments.
The development of the V3 series is a critical component of SpaceX’s commitments to NASA’s Artemis program. The company is currently working toward a long-duration flight test and an in-space propellant transfer demonstration, both scheduled for later in 2026. These milestones are required for the Artemis III mission, which NASA has targeted for mid-2027. While SpaceX remains a private entity, reports from early April 2026 indicate the company has confidentially filed for an initial public offering with a target valuation of 1.75 trillion dollars, though official confirmation of the filing was not part of the April 24 presentation.