Starship V3 Completes 12th Test Flight with Controlled Splashdown and Satellite Deployment

SpaceX landed Starship V3 safely in the Indian Ocean on May 22, 2026, marking the 12th test flight and validating mock satellite deployment in orbit. The upgraded vehicle reached operational status milestones after more than $15 billion in development. Success follows a pattern of rapid iteration: the third test saw both booster failure and stage success, whereas V3 achieved controlled recovery, moving Starship closer to commercial deployment for large-payload missions.