SpaceX scrubbed Starship Flight Test 12 (V3) at T-40 seconds

On May 21, 2026, SpaceX scrubbed the Starship Flight Test 12, the first-ever integrated rocket with version 3 super heavy booster and newly enhanced ship.

The company completed the entire launch countdown but stopped at T-40 seconds for final checks. It resumed a few times and was put on hold before finally scrubbing today’s launch due to last-minute unknown issues.

SpaceX has made a variety of new changes for this flight test. First, it has a brand new launch pad, built differently for the liftoff thrust endurance of the V3 Super Heavy. The company has improved the ground support and tower optimizations.

Next up is the booster v3, which has reduced the grid fins from four to three, but larger than the earlier version. These include new catch points and re-clocking on the booster to support vehicle lift and catch operations.

This new grid fin position also helps to reduce heat exposure during the hot-staging. Additionally, the company has moved the grid fin shaft, actuator, and fixed structure inside the booster’s main fuel tank to protect it during the first stage separation.

Speaking of hot-staging, the first stage now has an integrated hot-stage, which replaces the standalone hot-stage used in past test flights.

The fuel transfer tube has been redesigned from the ground up, and it’s now the size of a Falcon 9 first stage. The design allows all 33 engines to start together, faster and more synchronized, during the flip maneuvers.

On the other hand, the V3 ship brings redesigned propulsion systems along with enhanced heat shield tiles. These changes allow the new Raptor 3 engines, featuring a smaller size but improved thrust and mass efficiency.

Following this scrub, SpaceX could attempt another Starship Flight 12 launch as soon as tomorrow at the same time.