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Starbase, Texas — SpaceX successfully fired all 33 Raptor 3 engines on its Super Heavy Booster 19 (the first Version 3 or Block 3 booster) in a static fire test at Launch Pad 2 on April 15, 2026. This marked the first time a V3 Super Heavy booster has ignited its full complement of engines simultaneously, a key milestone validating the upgraded propulsion system for the upcoming Starship integrated Flight 12.

The test involved a relatively short-duration burn that produced massive plumes of exhaust and steam, with the booster securely held down by the orbital launch mount (OLM) and supported by an enhanced water deluge system designed to manage the extreme heat and forces from the engines. SpaceX described it as the “first 33-engine static fire for Super Heavy,” confirming no major anomalies were observed during the ignition and burn.Booster 19 generates approximately 9,240 metric tons (about 90,000 kN) of thrust at full power with the Raptor 3 engines, representing a significant upgrade over previous versions in performance, reliability, and manufacturing simplicity. Earlier in the campaign, the booster underwent cryogenic proof testing, propellant loading, and a partial (10-engine) static fire in March that ended early due to a ground-side issue but still provided valuable data.

First 33-engine static fire for Super Heavy V3 pic.twitter.com/m3swZHF7iQ

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) April 16, 2026

The upper stage, Ship 39 (also the first V3 configuration with three sea-level and three vacuum Raptor 3 engines), completed its own full-duration static fire on or around April 14 at a separate test site, further advancing the stack toward flight readiness.

Static fires serve as critical “dress rehearsals,” allowing engineers to verify engine performance, propellant flow, avionics, and ground systems under full thrust conditions without liftoff. Following the test, Booster 19 was demounted from the pad and rolled back for post-fire inspections and any necessary adjustments.

Flight 12 will be the debut orbital test flight of the fully upgraded Block 3 Starship system, featuring improvements to propellant capacity, heat shielding, and engine technology compared to earlier flights. SpaceX is targeting a launch window in early to mid-May 2026 from Starbase, pending regulatory approval from the FAA, post-test data review, and vehicle stacking.

This progress continues SpaceX’s rapid iteration on the fully reusable Starship architecture, aimed at enabling high-cadence launches, satellite deployment, crewed missions, and eventual journeys to the Moon and Mars. No official launch date has been confirmed, as the company continues to emphasize safety and data collection from each test.

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