The World’s Largest Rocket Is About to Get even Bigger
SpaceX‘s Starship, currently the world’s largest rocket, is poised for a significant upgrade with the upcoming Version 3, set to debut in 2026. The latest iteration, Version 2, concluded its nearly two-year testing phase with a successful 11th suborbital flight on October 13th, marking a high note for the program before transitioning to the next generation.
Version 3 will be approximately 5 feet (1.5 meters) taller than its predecessor and boast increased propellant capacity. crucially, the upgraded vehicle will utilize more efficient, third-generation Raptor engines, enhancing its overall performance. These improvements are designed to enable starship to carry payloads to orbit and ultimately support missions to the Moon and Mars.
The recent suborbital test flight served as a crucial stepping stone, demonstrating key capabilities in readiness for orbital launches. During the flight,SpaceX deployed eight Starlink simulators,furthering in-flight exhibition objectives. this success followed a period of earlier setbacks in 2024, highlighting the iterative nature of rocket development.
SpaceX is actively building multiple Version 3 vehicles, preparing them for a rigorous testing schedule. The company intends to use the upgraded Starship for orbital flights, operational payload delivery, and the critical process of in-orbit propellant transfer - refueling the vehicle in space. new docking adapters are being integrated into the design to facilitate this ship-to-ship refueling capability, a core element for extending mission durations and reaching destinations beyond low Earth orbit.
According to SpaceX spokesperson Dan Huot, Version 3 will also incorporate significant upgrades to energy storage and avionics systems, further enabling longer-duration missions. While acknowledging the extensive redesign,SpaceX founder Elon Musk has cautioned that the new version “might have some initial teething pains” as the team works through the complexities of the updated system.
Despite previous ambitions for an uncrewed Mars mission within the next launch window, the timeline remains uncertain as the focus shifts to perfecting the orbital flight profile of the considerably upgraded Starship Version 3.
