SpaceX's much-anticipated debut of its Starship Version 3 prototype has been postponed, with CEO Elon Musk now suggesting a launch in early April. This marks yet another adjustment to the timeline for the next flight, referred to as Flight 12, which has seen its projected launch dates recalibrated on multiple occasions.
The latest prediction, broadcast via Musk's social media platform X, places the launch approximately four weeks from the statement made on March 7th. This follows earlier projections, including one in late January that anticipated the flight within six weeks, and another in mid-March. The most recent physical indicator of progress includes the positioning of a new Super Heavy booster at the launch site.
The continuous shifting of launch dates for Starship's latest iteration, V3, occurs against a backdrop of scrutiny. A NASA watchdog report has raised concerns that persistent delays in Starship's development could have a bearing on the timeline for the agency's Artemis moon missions.
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This latest slip in the V3 debut comes nearly six weeks after a prior projection for Starship's next launch. The preceding test flight of the Starship vehicle, version 2, took place in October. SpaceX has not provided a definitive launch date in subsequent announcements.
The development of Starship, particularly its adaptation as a lunar lander for NASA's Artemis program, necessitates the completion of several technical milestones. Among these are advancements in 'in-space refueling' capabilities, a crucial element for lunar missions. The company has also previously indicated plans to utilize the launch tower's robotic arms for recovering Starship's upper stage.