SpaceX is counting down to a second launch attempt for Starship's twelfth flight test, now scheduled for Friday, May 22, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. local time from Orbital Launch Pad 2 at Starbase, Texas. Thursday's attempt was scrubbed after a hydraulic pin holding the tower arm in place failed to retract — a single mechanical issue that pushed the timeline by roughly 24 hours.
This flight marks the maiden voyage of Starship V3, the latest iteration of the fully stacked vehicle standing just over 407 feet tall. The mission's primary objective is to demonstrate the redesigned elements of both Ship and Super Heavy in a live flight environment, with SpaceX pushing toward full and rapid reusability. For this attempt, the Super Heavy booster is planned to splash down in the ocean rather than attempt a tower catch.
On-site reporter Joe Tegtmeyer confirmed the updated countdown from Starbase approximately nine hours before the Friday T-0 window, noting he and @esherifftv will be live streaming the attempt starting about one hour before launch. With the hydraulic pin issue identified and presumably resolved, all eyes are now on whether Starship V3 clears the pad on its first flight. For our full SpaceX coverage, follow along as the countdown progresses.
🚀 Following the Starship program? See every test flight, official outcome and the next launch window in our SpaceX Starship Tracker.
Sources & reporting notes
The links below identify the material source records used for this report.
- @JoeTegtmeyer on X (2026-05-22T14:18:10.000Z) — Direct source
- @NASASpaceflight on X (2026-05-22T14:08:18.000Z) — Direct source
Source links are preserved as published or accessed. See our editorial standards and corrections policy.
The BASENOR Editorial Desk covers Tesla, SpaceX, and related technology, curating reporting from primary sources — official accounts, regulatory filings, and software release data. Every article passes source-record and fact-checking review before publication. About the newsroom.
This report was curated by the BASENOR Editorial Desk from the sources listed above. Read our editorial standards or email editorial@basenor.com to report an error.
