SpaceX’s Raptor 3 was meant to fix Starship’s reliability problem, but several engines quit less than 20 seconds into boostback

SpaceX’s Starship Flight 12, launched on May 22, 2026, faced critical engine failures during a key phase of the mission. The Super Heavy booster’s Raptor 3 engines failed to relight properly during boostback—less than 20 seconds after stage separation—causing an uncontrolled descent into the Gulf of Mexico. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) classified the incident as a mishap, requiring a SpaceX-led investigation before future flights can proceed. The flight marked the first test of Starship Version 3, a redesigned 408-foot rocket system intended for reusable satellite, lunar, and eventual Mars missions. However, the booster’s inability to complete the boostback maneuver highlighted reliability concerns, as SpaceX’s long-term success hinges on reusing hardware. The Raptor 3 engines were promoted as simpler and more efficient, but multiple failures during this critical phase undermined that promise. The FAA activated a Debris Response Area after debris fell within the hazard zone, though no public injuries or property damage were reported. The incident also disrupted airspace operations, with six departure delays and five airborne holding events recorded. Regulators now face pressure to assess whether repeated splashdowns pose risks to aviation, coastal communities, and environmental safety. Starship’s growing size and trajectory are straining the national airspace system, with estimates suggesting it could affect over 13,000 commercial flights annually. The FAA must approve SpaceX’s investigation findings before clearing Starship for further flights, adding uncertainty to the rocket’s development timeline. The mishap underscores the challenges of scaling experimental launch systems while balancing public safety and operational demands. For SpaceX, resolving these issues is essential to proving Starship’s viability as a reusable workhorse for future missions.