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Starbase, Texas — SpaceX has successfully stacked its first full Starship Version 3 (V3) vehicle, mating Super Heavy Booster 19 with Ship 39 on the company’s new Pad 2 at Starbase.

The milestone, announced by SpaceX on X (social media) with accompanying photos, marks the initial integrated assembly of the upgraded Starship system. The towering stack, standing approximately 120+ meters tall, represents a significant step toward the upcoming Flight 12 test, expected in the coming weeks.

Booster 19, a V3 Super Heavy powered by 33 Raptor 3 engines, recently completed static fire testing, including a full-duration test on May 7. Ship 39, the first V3 upper stage, rolled out to the pad earlier and underwent its own preparations, including static fires, as previously reported by Cosmic Chronicles.

This stacking occurs on Pad 2, the first operations for the new facility, following Booster 19’s rollout. It is the first time SpaceX has fully stacked V3 hardware, building on lessons from previous flights and versions. V3 vehicles feature design improvements, including enhanced performance, Raptor 3 engines, and structural upgrades for greater reliability and payload capacity.

The full stack will now undergo integrated testing, likely including a Wet Dress Rehearsal (WDR) to verify propellant loading and systems. Flight 12 will serve as the debut for the V3 configuration and the first launch from Pad 2. It aims to demonstrate improved ascent, stage separation, and reusability objectives as SpaceX advances toward rapid, fully reusable operations.

Starship’s development continues at a rapid pace, with the system designed to carry over 100 tons to orbit, enable in-space refueling, and support missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. This latest stack underscores ongoing progress in high-cadence testing and production at Starbase.

SpaceX has not yet released a specific launch date for Flight 12, but preparations point toward a mid-May window, pending successful integrated testing and regulatory approvals.

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