Elon Musk's SpaceX has been quiet about its Starship launch schedule, with no flight 12 in sight. The last Starship launch from Starbase in South Texas was in October 2025, a significant delay from the usual one- to four-month testing cycle. This extended gap between tests is prompting speculation about SpaceX's plans. Could it be that SpaceX is preparing a pivotal version of the 400-foot Starship rocket? With 2026 already halfway through, the world's largest rocket hasn't made its debut this year. This delay is unusual for SpaceX, which has consistently tested Starship every one to four months since its second flight in November 2023. The next launch, flight 12, is expected to be a significant milestone, potentially featuring a new version of Starship designed for lunar and possibly Martian missions. Elon Musk, SpaceX's founder and CEO, hinted at an early March launch in January, but as of March 2, no official date has been announced. The Federal Aviation Administration has approved new flight paths for SpaceX, crucial for Starship's upper stage to reach orbit and return to Starbase. The delay between Starship flights 11 and 12 is notable, with the last test in October 2025. The previous gap between Starship launches was also significant, between the first and second test flights in April and November 2023, both of which ended in explosions. Starship, standing at over 400 feet tall, is designed for reusability and will play a key role in NASA's Artemis program and potentially human missions to Mars. SpaceX's 2025 testing saw five flights, with the first three ending in disasters. However, the final two launches of the year were successful. The next Starship prototype, Version 3, is expected to debut during flight 12, promising increased size and power. This new version aims to enable in-orbit refueling, a crucial step for reaching distant destinations like Mars.
