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SpaceX delays Starship flight 12 again, targets early April launch
Elon Musk says the next flight of the world's largest rocket will be in about 4 weeks, as SpaceX prepares an upgraded Starship V3 model.
Published on Mar. 11, 2026
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SpaceX CEO Elon Musk announced that the company is pushing back the maiden launch of its next version of the Starship rocket, now targeting early April for the debut of the upgraded Starship V3 model. The latest delay comes as both SpaceX and Blue Origin are under pressure from NASA to prepare lunar landers for the Artemis 4 mission in 2028.
Why it matters
Starship is the world's largest and most powerful rocket, and its successful development is crucial for SpaceX's ambitions to land astronauts on the moon and eventually send humans to Mars. The delays in Starship's flight test program have raised concerns about the timeline for the Artemis lunar program, which relies on Starship as a key component.
The details
SpaceX had previously targeted early March for the next Starship flight, but Musk announced on March 7 that the launch is now planned for about 4 weeks from then, in early April. The company has completed 'cryoproof' testing of the Starship upper stage vehicle, Ship 39, which demonstrated the redesigned propellant system and structural strength. The lower stage booster, Super Heavy, is also ready for preflight testing.
- SpaceX conducted five Starship flight tests in 2025, with the final two in August and October being considered successes.
- The most recent Starship test took place on October 13, 2025, and was the final flight for the Version 2 iteration of the rocket.
- Elon Musk announced on March 7, 2026 that the next Starship launch would be in about 4 weeks, or early April 2026.
The players
SpaceX
An American aerospace manufacturer and space transportation services company founded by Elon Musk in 2002.
Elon Musk
The founder, CEO, and chief engineer of SpaceX.
Blue Origin
An American aerospace manufacturer and sub-orbital spaceflight services company founded by Jeff Bezos.
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, an independent agency of the executive branch of the United States federal government responsible for the civilian space program, as well as aeronautics and space research.
What they’re saying
“Starship V3 first flight in about 4 weeks”
— Elon Musk (Twitter)
What’s next
SpaceX plans to launch the Starship V3 model from Florida's Kennedy Space Center in late summer or early fall of 2026.
The takeaway
The delays in Starship's development highlight the technical challenges involved in creating the world's largest and most powerful rocket, but also the importance of Starship's success for SpaceX's ambitious plans and NASA's Artemis lunar program.
