Your next space flight may depend on the rocket that launched yesterday from Texas — if SpaceX can solve the problems still appearing in tests. The company conducted on May 22 the 12th test flight of Starship, debuting the Block 3 version of the spacecraft, standing 124.4 meters tall with capacity for 100 tons of payload to low Earth orbit. ✓
Press quotes (3)
"A SpaceX realizou hoje o lançamento da 12ª missão de testes da Starship, veículo espacial reconhecido como o maior e mais potente do mundo. Este voo marca a estreia da nova geração da nave"
"The rocket has a height of 408 feet (124 meters), a few feet taller than the previous version of Starship."
"Block 3: 100 t (220,000 lb)"
The 65-minute flight had typical successes and failures of SpaceX's "test fast, fix fast" strategy. The ship launched correctly, separated from the booster as planned, and released test satellites over the Indian Ocean. But the booster didn't complete the planned combustion and fell "rapidly and uncontrollably" into the Gulf of Mexico, according to company spokesperson Dan Huot. ✓
Press quotes (3)
"O voo, que durou cerca de 65 minutos, não esteve livre de contratempos"
"As duas partes do aparelho se separaram corretamente, mas o propulsor não completou a combustão prevista, declarou o porta-voz da empresa, Dan Huot"
"O propulsor então caiu rápida e descontroladamente nas águas do golfo do México"
Starship is central to the $2.89 billion contract NASA signed with SpaceX in 2021 for the Human Landing System — the system meant to take American astronauts back to the Moon by 2028. So far, of 12 flights conducted, 7 were successful and 5 failed, using 6 Block 1 vehicles, 5 Block 2, and now 1 Block 3. ✓
Press quotes (3)
"The firm-fixed price, milestone-based contract total award value is $2.89 billion"
"As of May 22, 2026, the SpaceX Starship has been launched 12 times, with 7 successes and 5 failures"
"As of May 22, 2026, 6 Block 1 vehicles, 5 Block 2 vehicles, and 1 Block 3 vehicle has flown"
The launch happens while SpaceX prepares its initial public offering (IPO) on the American stock exchange, expected for June. The company competes with Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin for lunar lander development, in a context where experts express skepticism about meeting NASA's deadlines before China sends its own crewed mission to the Moon by 2030. ✓
Press quotes (3)
"A oferta pública inicial (IPO) é esperada para junho e deve bater recordes"
"Tanto a SpaceX quanto sua rival Blue Origin, empresa de Jeff Bezos que também compete para desenvolver um módulo de pouso lunar"
"especialistas do setor têm manifestado repetidamente ceticismo de que SpaceX e Blue Origin consigam atingir essas metas a tempo"
The flight marks the debut of Starship's Block 3 version
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Why did the booster fail in the planned combustion?
Why it's still unknown: SpaceX has not released technical details about the specific cause of the booster failure
Did not cover: Band -
What was the exact impact of the engine failure on orbital trajectory?
Why it's still unknown: Although Veja reported the ship 'wasn't exactly in the correct orbit', there are no specifications about the deviations
Did not cover: Band -
What are the specific Block 3 improvements beyond increased height?
Why it's still unknown: Sources mention 'extensive redesign process' but don't detail all technical changes implemented