This past Monday, October 13, Starship Version 2 was launched for the last time, ending its nearly two years of existence on a good note. The megarocket’s 11th suborbital test flight marked the final launch of this iteration of Starship, paving the way for an improved version that is larger and equipped with more efficient Raptor engines.
Starship Version 3 is expected to debut in 2026, marking the start of SpaceX’s orbital testing of its launch vehicle. This version of Starship will carry payloads into orbit and carry out missions to the Moon and Mars. The upgraded vehicle will be about 5 feet taller (1.5 meters), capable of carrying more propellant and equipped with new docking adapters for transferring fuel to orbit.
Ships are made to fly
Starship’s final flight was another great success. SpaceX conducted several flight demonstrations to prepare for the launch of the upgraded version of the rocket. The second-generation prototype flew on a suborbital trajectory, similar to its previous missions, and deployed eight Starlink simulators.
Starship’s last two flights were successful, but they follow a series of mission failures that affected the rocket’s first three launches of the year. Although version 2 ended on a good note, it had a rather rocky ride. However, the company is now turning its attention to the improved version of its rocket.
“The focus is now on the next generation of Starship and Super Heavy, with several vehicles currently under active construction and being prepared for testing,” SpaceX wrote in a statement. “This next iteration will be used for Starship’s first orbital flights, operational payload missions, propellant transfer, and more, as we transition to a fully and rapidly reusable vehicle with service in Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars, and beyond.”
The next-generation upgrade of the current prototype includes a larger vehicle, capable of carrying more propellant. The rocket will also use a more powerful and efficient version of its engines, the third-generation Raptor engines.
“We’re also getting energy storage upgrades, tons of changes in avionics – lots of things that will enable longer duration missions,” SpaceX spokesperson Dan Huot said during the webcast of Starship’s 11th test flight.
To prepare the rocket for missions beyond low Earth orbit, the company must also equip Starship with a ship-to-ship propellant transfer system to refuel the vehicle in space.
“One notable thing you’ll start to see externally are these new docking adapters, which we’ll use when we bring two spacecraft together for propellant transfer,” Huot said. “This is a core Starship capability that we will demonstrate next year.”
As with any new vehicle prototype, there will be a learning curve with the next-generation Starship. During an interview in September, SpaceX founder Elon Musk revealed that “almost everything changes on the rocket with version 3.” The upgraded Starship “might have some initial difficulties because it’s such a radical redesign,” he added.
Given new rocket developments, Starship Version 3 may take some time to perfect these orbital flights. Musk previously said he would like to send an uncrewed spacecraft to Mars during an upcoming launch window next year, but it is unclear whether the rocket will be ready to travel to a new world by then.
