SpaceX Starship Flight 12: Scrubbed Launch and Upcoming Test
SpaceX’s Starship V3, the latest iteration of the world’s most powerful rocket, faced a setback on Thursday, May 21, 2026, as a launch attempt was scrubbed due to a technical issue. The company is now targeting a new launch window on Friday, May 22, 2026, marking the first test flight of Starship Version 3 in seven months.
Launch Attempt and Scrub
SpaceX initially aimed to launch Starship V3 from its Starbase facility in Texas on May 21, but the countdown was halted 40 seconds before liftoff. A hydraulic pin failure on an umbilical arm connecting the launch tower to the rocket prevented the vehicle from departing. Elon Musk, SpaceX’s CEO, confirmed the issue via X, stating that a fix could enable a launch attempt the following day.
The launch window for May 22 opens at 5:30 pm CDT (22:30 UTC), with live coverage expected to begin at 6:00 pm EDT. This will be the 12th full-scale test flight of Starship and its Super Heavy booster, following a series of earlier prototypes.
Starship V3 Upgrades
Starship Version 3 introduces several significant improvements over previous iterations. The rocket features 39 more efficient, higher-thrust Raptor engines, a redesigned propulsion system, and three
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