When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission.Credit: SpaceX[embedded content]Update for May 22, 10 am ET: SpaceX will make a second attempt to launch its new Starship V3 megarocket today at 6:30 p.m. EDT (2230 GMT) during a 90-minute launch window at its Starbase, Texas test site. NASASpaceflight’s webcast on YouTube. This stream will begin at about 3:30 p.m. EDT (1930 GMT). NASASpaceflight has cameras all around the Starbase facility, and it will give live commentary during preflight activities, often including early looks at the Starship and Super Heavy vehicles before launch.[embedded content]If you plan to watch the launch in person, please note that SpaceX does not have an official launch viewing site.AdvertisementAdvertisementI often tell spectators to watch Starship launches from the Cameron Country Amphitheater in Isla Blanca Park, which is located on South Padre Island. The area offers a Earth’s atmosphere, as they will also fall from space over the Indian Ocean.SpaceX has removed one heat shield tile to test aerodynamic stresses on nearby tiles when there’s a gap. The company will also attempt to mimic the stresses on Starship during a return to launch site and landing during reentry.AdvertisementAdvertisement”Finally, the ship will perform experimental actions tested on previous flight tests, including a maneuver to intentionally stress the structural limits of the vehicle’s rear flaps and a dynamic banking maneuver to mimic the trajectory that future missions returning to Starbase will fly,” SpaceX wrote.The Starship V3 vehicle is expected to reenter Earth’s atmosphere at the 47 minutes, 47 second mark of the flight, with its splashdown zone likely located off the coast of Western Australia about one hour and five minutes after liftoff.What if Starship Flight 12 can’t launch?If SpaceX was unable to launch Starship V3 on the Flight 12 test flight, and will try again on Friday, May 22. In the past, the company has reserved at least two backup days for its Starship launches.Last week, officials with Starbase, Texas, issued beach closures for Boca Chica Beach (near the launch site) only for Sunday, May 17, and Monday, May 18 — the days immediately ahead of the original planned liftoff on May 19. But those road closures were later revoked.AdvertisementAdvertisementOn Monday, May 18, Starbase officials issued a new road closure notice that indicated the area would blocked to the public from May 19 until May 21. The town has since issued a new beach closure for May 22, but no advisories beyond Friday’s second attempt.Visit Space.com on Starship V3 launch day for complete coverage of the Starship Flight 12 test flight.Editor’s note: This story was updated on May 22, 2026 to reflect SpaceX’s Starship V3 launch delay. …
