SpaceX is advancing toward high-performance, fully reusable rocket systems with Starship V3 and Raptor 3 engines, aiming to enable future crewed lunar and Martian missions.

Flight 12 marks the first full-stack integration of the Starship V3 design, moving from component tests to integrated vehicle testing, and is planned for mid‑May after stacking and approvals.

The upcoming flight will use a Starship vehicle powered by Raptor 3 engines, offering higher thrust, reduced weight, and lower production costs, with potential to carry over 100 tons to low Earth orbit when fully reusable.

During the test, the booster remained anchored to the launch mount as engines produced immense thrust, creating large exhaust plumes.

Close-up imagery shows dark spots and smoke trails on the hull attributed to engine exhaust and the sound suppression system, not structural damage.

A few paint peelings and partial damage to protective tape were observed, but the rocket’s main structure stayed intact.

Earlier 10‑engine and 33‑engine tests in March and April were cut short by ground equipment issues; the May 7 test completed successfully according to SpaceX communications.

The article notes SpaceX founder Elon Musk and cites Zamin as a source for reporting.

The water deluge system performed well under heavy loads, protecting the concrete infrastructure for future higher cadence launches.

A wet dress rehearsal is planned to verify propellant loading across Ship 39 and Booster 19, with launch timing dependent on stacking success and regulatory approvals.

The successful firing advances SpaceX toward the next Starship launch, with timing awaiting regulatory approvals and final system checks.

SpaceX released a celebratory video marking three years of Starship flight tests, noting the anniversary follows the first launch in April 2023 that ended in an explosion minutes after liftoff.