The first Starship test flight of 2026 is scheduled for as soon as early March as SpaceX enters a critical year in the vehicle’s development.

SpaceX is set to push the boundaries of space exploration with the upcoming debut of its most ambitious version of Starship yet. In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), CEO Elon Musk revealed that the company plans to conduct the 12th test flight of the Starship rocket as soon as early March 2026.

The launch date had been up in the air after the rocket's booster stage suffered an explosion during testing in November.

A SpaceX Super Heavy booster carrying the Starship spacecraft lifts off on its 11th test flight at the company's launch pad in Starbase, Texas, U.S., October 13, 2025. REUTERS/Steve Nesius A SpaceX Super Heavy booster carrying the Starship spacecraft lifts ...

SpaceX is gearing up to debut Starship’s Version 3, testing the upgraded rocket’s ability to reach orbit for the first time as the company races to fly missions to the Moon and Mars. SpaceX CEO and founder Elon Musk announced on X that Starship’s upcoming launch is in six weeks,

Flight 12 will try to extend that run of success while also breaking in the new "Version 3" of Starship. Among other modifications, this variant is a bit taller than its predecessors and will also be the first to employ SpaceX's new Raptor 3 engine.

SpaceX has made significant progress towards its next major milestone for the Starship program. The company recently completed the stacking of its Super Heavy booster for Starship’s 12th test flight.

This is the year of the giants. It’s what we’re calling it on the Space Coast. And we’re bringing Starship out to the Space Coast": Col. Brian Chatman.