SpaceX wraps up second test campaign on Super Heavy Booster V3

SpaceX has wrapped a week-long second test campaign on Super Heavy Booster V3 and shared some of the detailed visuals of the event that took place at Starbase, Texas.

Under this test phase, the company loaded cryogenic fuel and oxidizer on a V3 vehicle for the first time. These propellants are chilled to hundreds of degrees below zero, causing steel tanks to shrink and move. Images shared online show venting ice on the booster, which is part of the tank testing process.

V3 design is crucial for SpaceX‘s journey to the Moon and beyond. The Super Heavy booster V3 has improved propellant tanks and capacity for enhanced operations. Moreover, the new Raptor 3 engines provide more power to the rocket than the Raptor 2, and that happens with mass efficiency.

Initial Super Heavy V3 and Starbase Pad 2 activation campaign complete, wrapping up several days of testing that loaded cryogenic fuel and oxidizer on a V3 vehicle for the first time. While the 10-engine static fire ended early due to a ground-side issue, we saw successful… pic.twitter.com/uHGji17srv

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) March 18, 2026

Moreover, the V3 has new grid fins, which make it even more aerodynamically friendly and help the booster to guide itself back to the Earth and land vertically between the catch tower.

Along with the tank testing, the company also performed a static fire test on Raptor 3 engines with 10 units, and the company is next planning to go on full swing with a 33 Raptor engine static fire.