Story continues after Advertisements

SpaceX announced on March 18, 2026, that it has successfully completed the initial activation campaign for its upgraded Super Heavy V3 booster and the new Starbase Pad 2 launch facility in South Texas.

The multi-day testing sequence marked several key milestones for the Starship program’s next-generation hardware. For the first time, cryogenic fuel (methane) and oxidizer (liquid oxygen) were loaded onto a V3 Super Heavy vehicle. The campaign also activated and validated ground systems at Pad 2, including propellant loading infrastructure, the water deluge system, and other pad hardware.

A highlight of the testing was a partial static fire test involving 10 of the booster’s Raptor 3 engines. All installed Raptor 3 engines achieved successful ignition and startup. However, the test concluded earlier than planned due to a ground-side issue unrelated to the engines or booster itself.

SpaceX shared the update via its official X account, accompanied by photos of the Super Heavy booster—identified in reports as Booster 19—secured on Pad 2 during the campaign. This marked the debut of both V3 hardware and operations at the new Pad 2, which is designed to significantly increase Starbase’s launch capacity by providing a second operational orbital launch mount.

The V3 iteration of Super Heavy features improvements over previous versions, including the more powerful and efficient Raptor 3 engines, which are expected to enhance overall performance for future missions.

With the initial campaign wrapped up, SpaceX engineers are now preparing the booster for its next major milestone: a full static fire test of all 33 Raptor 3 engines. This test will further validate the vehicle’s propulsion systems ahead of an anticipated return to flight operations, potentially as early as April 2026.

The successful cryogenic loading and engine startups represent important progress in SpaceX’s iterative development approach, bringing the company closer to routine, high-cadence Starship launches aimed at supporting lunar and Mars missions.

Author’s note: Thanks for reading Cosmic Chronicles. Write your thoughts in the comment section below. If you have story suggestions or feedback, Direct Message me on social media 𝕏: Evelyn Janeidy Arevalo @JaneidyEve. Read the most recent stories featured below. Thank You.