This past Monday, October 13, Starship Version 2 launched for the last time, ending its nearly two-year run on a high note.
Starship’s Version 3 is set to debut in 2026, marking the beginning of SpaceX’s orbital tests of its launch vehicle.
This version of Starship will carry payloads to orbit and fly missions to the Moon and Mars.
Nonetheless, the company is now turning its attention toward the upgraded version of its rocket.
Considering the rocket’s new developments, it may take a while for Starship Version 3 to perfect those orbital flights.
Starship Version 2 ended its nearly two-year run on a high note with its final launch this past Monday, October 13. The megarocket’s eleventh suborbital test flight was the last launch of this version of Starship, which was replaced by a larger, more modern model with Raptor engines that are more efficient.
In 2026, Starship’s Version 3 will make its debut, initiating SpaceX’s orbital testing of its launch vehicle. This iteration of Starship will fly missions to the Moon and Mars and transport payloads into orbit. About five feet (1 and a half meters) taller, the upgraded vehicle will have new docking adapters for in-orbit fuel transfer and be able to carry more propellant.
Flying is the purpose of starships.
The most recent flight of Starship was another huge success. Many in-flight tests were conducted by SpaceX in order to get ready for the launch of the upgraded rocket. Like its earlier missions, the second-generation prototype used a suborbital trajectory and launched eight Starlink simulators.
The rocket had a series of mission failures during its first three launches of the year, but Starship’s final two flights were successful. Despite its successful conclusion, Version 2 had a rather tumultuous run. Nevertheless, the company is now focusing on the improved rocket model.
SpaceX stated in a statement that “attention now shifts to the next generation of Starship and Super Heavy, with multiple vehicles currently in active build and preparing for tests.”. As we iterate to a fully and quickly reusable vehicle with service to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars, and beyond, this next iteration will be used for the first Starship orbital flights, operational payload missions, propellant transfer, and more. “”.
The current prototype has been upgraded to a larger vehicle that can carry more propellant in the next generation. The third-generation Raptor engines, which are more potent and effective, will also be used by the rocket.
“We’re also getting a lot of avionics changes and energy storage upgrades—a lot of things that will enable longer-duration missions,” SpaceX spokesperson Dan Huot stated during the webcast of Starship’s eleventh test flight.
The company must also equip Starship with a ship-to-ship propellant transfer system to refuel the vehicle in space, preparing the rocket for missions beyond low Earth orbit.
“When we bring two Starships together for propellant transfer, we’ll use these new docking adapters, which are one noteworthy thing you’ll start seeing on the outside,” Huot explained. “Next year, we’re going to demonstrate that core capability of Starship. “.”.
The upcoming Starship will have a learning curve, just like any new vehicle prototype. Elon Musk, the founder of SpaceX, stated in a September interview that “with version 3, pretty much everything changes on the rocket.”. Because it’s such a drastic redesign, the updated Starship “may have some initial teething pains,” he continued.
Starship Version 3 may need some time to perfect those orbital flights given the latest advancements in rocket technology. It’s unclear if the rocket will be prepared to reach a new planet by then, but Musk had previously declared that he would like to send an uncrewed Starship to Mars during an upcoming launch window next year.
