The world's biggest rocket: How SpaceX's new Starship 'V3' differs from its predecessors

SpaceX’s Starship V3, the latest iteration of its super-heavy launch vehicle, is poised for its first flight on May 19 after a complete redesign since its last test seven months ago. The rocket, now 5 feet taller than previous versions, features 33 upgraded Raptor 3 engines on its Super Heavy booster, delivering over 18 million pounds of thrust at liftoff. This marks a significant leap in power and reliability, incorporating lessons from 11 prior test flights, including the inaugural launch in April 2023. The V3’s Super Heavy booster now includes three enlarged grid fins, each 50% larger than before, positioned lower to avoid heat damage during hot-stage separation—a process where the Ship upper stage ignites its engines before detaching. The booster’s fuel transfer tube, now roughly the size of a Falcon 9 first stage, enables faster and simultaneous engine ignitions for launch and landing burns. Additional upgrades to the aft section improve heat protection and system integration. The Ship upper stage also undergoes major changes, including a larger propellant tank, improved cryogenic fuel handling, and a revamped reaction control system. Four new docking ports along the vehicle’s body support future orbital refueling missions. These modifications align with SpaceX’s goal of achieving rapid reuse and high flight rates, critical for NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to return astronauts to the moon. Starship V3 will launch from SpaceX’s newest pad at its Starbase site in South Texas, the company’s second operational launch facility. The upgrades collectively position Starship as a step closer to a fully reusable launch system, addressing past failures and refining its design for sustained operational use. The debut flight will mark a pivotal moment in SpaceX’s development, testing the rocket’s capabilities under real-world conditions.