Elon Musk’s aerospace company, SpaceX, is set to launch its upgraded Version 3 of Starship on Thursday, May 21, 2026. The test flight comes ahead of the highly anticipated Initial Public Offering (IPO), expected in June 2026.
The massive rocket, roughly 407 feet tall, includes a redesigned propulsion system and enhanced avionics for long-duration spaceflight. This launch will mark the vehicle’s 12th test flight and its first in seven months.
The success of this launch could significantly impact investor confidence related to the IPO, which is expected to be record-breaking, ranging between $1.5 trillion and $1.75 trillion. The test flight also plays a crucial role in pursuing NASA’s Artemis mission, where Starship will serve as the Human Landing System for future Moon missions.
The launch window opens at 6:30 p.m. EDT (10:30 p.m. GMT) from its launchpad in southern Texas. Live coverage of the launch is available on SpaceX’s X and Launch Page, as well as NASA Spaceflight YouTube.