SpaceX has fully assembled the Starship V3 rocket for the first time at Pad 2 in Texas. Consisting of Ship 39 and Super Heavy Booster 19, this complex is intended for the Flight 12 mission, with its launch scheduled after May 15 according to initial plans. This is reported by Ixbt.com news.
The new configuration is one of the most significant upgrades in Starship history. Ship 39 is equipped with Raptor 3 engines, increased fuel tanks, improved thermal protection, and special equipment necessary for orbital refueling. Booster 19 has undergone structural changes, featuring three grid fins instead of four and a new stage separation system.
Initially, Booster 18 was planned for the Flight 12 mission, but it became unusable due to a malfunction during testing. As a result, SpaceX accelerated the preparation of Booster 19, which has already successfully passed a 14-second test with 33 Raptor engines.
This flight is expected to be a turning point for the Starship project. SpaceX aims to increase the rocket's payload capacity and prepare it for launching new generation Starlink satellites, the Artemis lunar program, and flights to Mars. Elon Musk has promised that the Starship rocket will become a fully reusable system this year.
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