SpaceX Flight 12 Starship V3
Rocket Launch Video Streams
Weather Forecast During Launch
According to weather officials, there's a 85% chance of favorable weather conditions at the time of the launch. The forecast calls for a temperature of 90°F, clear skies, 0% cloud cover and a wind speed of 15mph.
Rocket Launch Trajectory & Flight Path
Track the complete rocket launch trajectory with real-time flight data from FlightClub.io (opens in a new tab). View detailed telemetry including rocket velocity, altitude progression, thrust levels, acceleration, orbital insertion parameters, and 3D flight path visualization throughout all mission phases from liftoff to orbit.
Learn about rocket launch trajectory physics (opens in a new tab)
Rocket Launch Timeline
Track every phase of the rocket launch with our detailed mission timeline. From T-minus countdown events and pre-launch preparations through liftoff, stage separation, and orbital insertion, follow each critical milestone in real-time. Our comprehensive launch sequence timeline includes payload integration, propellant loading, engine ignition, and post-launch telemetry tracking.
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| T- 00 : 50 : 00 | GO for Prop Load Launch director verifies go for propellant load |
| T- 00 : 38 : 53 | Stage 2 LOX Load Start of liquid oxygen loading in the second stage |
| T- 00 : 35 : 00 | Stage 1 LOX Load Start of liquid oxygen loading in the first stage |
| T- 00 : 34 : 43 | Stage 1 LNG Load Start of liquid methane loading in the first stage |
| T- 00 : 32 : 59 | Stage 2 LNG Load Start of liquid methane loading in the second stage |
| T- 00 : 21 : 30 | Engine Chill Start of engine chilling |
| T- 00 : 02 : 50 | Stage 1 Propellant Load Complete End of propellant loading in the first stage |
| T- 00 : 02 : 10 | Stage 2 Propellant Load Complete End of propellant loading in the second stage |
| T- 00 : 00 : 30 | GO for Launch Launch director verifies go for launch |
| T- 00 : 00 : 17 | Flame Deflector Activation Activation of the flame deflector ahead of engine ignition |
| T- 00 : 00 : 03 | Ignition Start of the engine ignition sequence |
| T+ 00 : 00 : 00 | Liftoff First upwards movement of the rocket |
| T+ 00 : 00 : 00 | Excitement Guaranteed Excitement guaranteed |
| T+ 00 : 00 : 45 | Max-Q Maximum dynamic pressure |
| T+ 00 : 02 : 22 | MECO Cut-off of the main engine |
| T+ 00 : 02 : 24 | Stage 2 Separation Separation of the second stage from the first |
| T+ 00 : 02 : 30 | Booster Boostback Burn Startup Start of the booster boostback burn |
| T+ 00 : 03 : 30 | Booster Boostback Burn Shutdown End of the booster boostback burn |
| T+ 00 : 06 : 34 | Stage 1 Landing Burn Start of the first stage landing burn |
| T+ 00 : 06 : 59 | Stage 1 Landing Landing of the first stage |
| T+ 00 : 08 : 11 | SECO-1 First cut-off of the second engine |
| T+ 00 : 17 : 37 | Payload Deployment Sequence Start Start of the payload deployment sequence |
| T+ 00 : 27 : 15 | Payload Deployment Sequence End End of the payload deployment sequence. |
| T+ 00 : 38 : 37 | SEB-2 2nd burn of the second engine |
| T+ 00 : 47 : 47 | Atmospheric Entry Start of the atmospheric re-entry |
| T+ 01 : 02 : 29 | Starship Transonic Starship passing through the transonic regime |
| T+ 01 : 03 : 08 | Starship Subsonic Starship reaches a subsonic velocity |
| T+ 01 : 05 : 06 | Starship Landing Burn Start of the Starship orbital stage landing burn |
| T+ 01 : 05 : 08 | Landing Flip Flip maneuver to set the orientation for landing |
| T+ 01 : 05 : 17 | Starship Landing Landing of the Starship orbital stage |
| T+ 01 : 05 : 24 | Starship Landing Landing of the Starship orbital stage |
| T+ 01 : 05 : 26 | Starship Landing Landing of the Starship orbital stage |
About the Flight 12 Mission
| Type | Test Flight |
|---|---|
| Orbit | Suborbital |
12th test flight of the two-stage Starship launch vehicle. Maiden Flight of Starship V3.
The flight testu2019s primary goal will be to demonstrate each of these new pieces in the flight environment for the first time, with each element of the Starship architecture featuring significant redesigns to enable full and rapid reuse that incorporate learnings from years of development and test.
The Starship upper stage will target multiple in-space and reentry objectives, including a payload deployment of 20 Starlink simulators, similar in size to next-generation Starlink V3 satellites, and two specially modified Starlink satellites. The two modified satellites will test hardware planned for Starlink V3 and will attempt to scan Starshipu2019s heat shield and transmit imagery down to operators to test methods of analyzing Starshipu2019s heat shield readiness for return to launch site on future missions. Several tiles on Starship have been painted white to simulate missing tiles and serve as imaging targets in the test. The Starlink simulators will be on the same suborbital trajectory as Starship. A relight of a single Raptor engine while in space is also planned.
For Starship entry, a single heat shield tile has been intentionally removed to measure the aerodynamic load differences on adjacent tiles when there is a tile missing. Finally, the ship will perform experimental actions tested on previous flight tests, including a maneuver to intentionally stress the structural limits of the vehicleu2019s rear flaps and a dynamic banking maneuver to mimic the trajectory that future missions returning to Starbase will fly.
This mission will be launched aboard SpaceX's Starship, the world's most powerful rocket and the first fully reusable super heavy-lift launch vehicle. Starship is designed to carry crew and cargo to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars, and beyond, representing a revolutionary advancement in space transportation technology with its unprecedented payload capacity and complete reusability.
Explore SpaceX Starship development and flight history (opens in a new tab)
Launch Pad & Location
Orbital Launch Pad 2
SpaceX Starbase, TX, USA
| Launches | 1 |
|---|---|
| Total Launches | 21 |
Starbase is an industrial complex for Starship rockets and the headquarters of the American aerospace manufacturer company SpaceX. Located near Brownsville, Texas, United States, it has been under construction since the late 2010s by SpaceX. Starbase is composed of a spaceport near the Gulf of Mexico, a production facility at the Boca Chica village, and a small structure test site along the Texas State Highway 4.
SpaceX Starship V3 Rocket
Third development version of the Starship reusable two-stage super heavy-lift launch vehicle.
| Length | 124.4 m |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 9.0 m |
| Stages | 2 |
| Launch Mass | 5,250.0 T |
| Takeoff Thrust | 80,807.0 kN |
| LEO Capacity | 100,000 kg |
| Maiden Flight | 5/22/2026 |
Booster Landing & Recovery
Core Booster 19
| Serial Number | Booster 19 |
|---|---|
| Last Flight | 05/22/2026 |
First Block 3 Super Heavy booster to fly with various enhancements including Raptor 3 engines, integrated interstage and 3 grid fins instead of 4 used. Used on the 12th Starship flight test, replacing Booster 18 written off during ground testing in November 2025. It was lost after stage separation, having completed an off-nominal boostback burn with fewer engines than planned. The Super Heavy Booster 19 was lost after stage separation, having performed an off-nominal boostback burn with fewer engines than planned.
Gulf of Mexico - GOM
Gulf of Mexico
Ocean - Ocean
No recovery attempt
Track the booster recovery and droneship return to port (opens in a new tab)
About SpaceX
Space Exploration Technologies Corp., known as SpaceX, is an American aerospace manufacturer and space transport services company headquartered in Hawthorne, California. It was founded in 2002 by entrepreneur Elon Musk with the goal of reducing space transportation costs and enabling the colonization of Mars. SpaceX operates from many pads, on the East Coast of the US they operate from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and historic LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center. They also operate from SLC-4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, usually for polar launches. Another launch site is being developed at Boca Chica, Texas.
| Total Launches | 700 |
|---|---|
| Successful | 685 |
| Failed | 15 |
| Pending | 129 |
| Consecutive Success | 185 |
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the SpaceX Starship Flight 12 launch scheduled?
The SpaceX Starship Flight 12 launch was scheduled for:
.
Where can I watch the SpaceX Starship Flight 12 launch video?
You can watch the SpaceX Starship launch video on this page. The official video includes full mission coverage with multiple camera angles, onboard views, and expert commentary covering pre-launch procedures, liftoff, stage separation, and payload deployment.
Where did the SpaceX Starship Flight 12 mission launch from?
The SpaceX Starship rocket launched from Orbital Launch Pad 2 at SpaceX Starbase, TX, USA. Starbase is an industrial complex for Starship rockets and the headquarters of the American aerospace manufacturer company SpaceX. Located near Brownsville, Texas, United States, it has been under construction since the late 2010s by SpaceX. Starbase is composed of a spaceport near the Gulf of Mexico, a production facility at the Boca Chica village, and a small structure test site along the Texas State Highway 4.
What rocket was used for the Flight 12 mission?
The Flight 12 mission launched aboard a SpaceX Starship rocket. Third development version of the Starship reusable two-stage super heavy-lift launch vehicle. Detailed rocket specifications and performance data are available in the rocket details above.
Did the SpaceX Starship booster for Flight 12 attempt a landing?
Yes, the Starship first stage booster attempted a Ocean at a designated landing zone. Booster recovery allows SpaceX to reuse rocket components, significantly reducing launch costs. Learn more about the landing details.
What weather conditions could have delayed the SpaceX Starship Flight 12 launch?
The SpaceX Starship Flight 12 launch could have been delayed by various weather conditions including lightning within 10 nautical miles, high winds (especially upper-level winds), thick cloud layers, precipitation, and poor visibility. Weather must be favorable at the launch site, downrange landing zones, and abort landing sites.
How can I get updates if the SpaceX Starship Flight 12 launch was delayed?
This page was updated in real-time with the latest SpaceX Starship launch status, including any delays or scrubs for the Flight 12 mission. You can also check our space launch schedule for historical launch information. Our mobile app provides push notifications for instant alerts about launch status changes. Official SpaceX live streams provided the most immediate range updates during the launch window.
Last Updated
Last Updated:
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Successful liftoff and ascent of Starship and Super Heavy, placing Ship 39 on a valid suborbital trajectory
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Liftoff.
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Unofficial Re-stream by SPACE AFFAIRS has started
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Updated launch weather, 85% GO.
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Launch time is to the second.
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Confirmed rescheduled for May 22.
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Next attempt NET May 22.
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Scrub for the day after hold at T-40.
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Unofficial Re-stream by SPACE AFFAIRS has started
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Now targeting May 21 at 23:30 UTC
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Tweaked T-0.
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Now targeting May 21 at 23:00 UTC
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Tweaked T-0.
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Updated launch weather, 55% GO.
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Now targeting May 21 at 22:30 UTC
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Now targeting May 20 at 22:30 UTC
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GO for launch.
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NET May 19, TBC.
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NET May 15 per new marine navigation warnings, TBC.
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NET May 12, TBC.
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NET May.
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NET April
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Targeting March
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Moved to NET Q1 based on vehicle testing progress.
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NET January.
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Added launch