SpaceX finally Completed First Ship V3’s Full Engine Fire Test, But B19 Delayed Again, WHY?

Welcome back to the latest episode of Great SpaceX. If you've been on the edge of your seat these past weeks, you're not alone. The anticipation has been intense, and today, it pays off. This is Kevin, and we are diving into a true milestone in modern spaceflight. From the dusty plains of South Texas to Axiom Space's high-tech testing floors, the aerospace world is buzzing. If you've ever wondered what it feels like to watch history unfold in real-time through stainless steel and liquid oxygen, you are exactly where you need to be. The headline of today is undoubtedly the full-power test of Starship Ship Version 3, specifically our friend, S39. For those who have been following the Starship development cycle with the kind of dedication usually reserved for professional sports or long-running soap operas, the recent performance of S39 has been a well-deserved reward for months of patience. We have seen many iterations of this vehicle, and each one brings us a little closer to that dream of multi-planetary life. But V3 feels different. It feels more mature, more robust, and, certainly, more powerful. After two consecutive days of cryogenic and spin-prime testing, the vehicle seemed ready to roar, even if the timing took many of us by surprise. Usually, we looked for scheduled track closures or specific notices from the local authorities at Massey's to tip us off, but on the afternoon of the 14th, everything came quite unexpectedly. It was one of those moments where if you blinked or stepped away to grab a sandwich, you might have missed the beginning of a major milestone. The testing sequence started with a truly impressive venting process, as fuel began to load into the massive tanks. For the amateurs watching at home, venting is usually regarded as the rocket's way of breathing, letting out excess pressure as it prepares for the violent chemical reaction to come. As the super-chilled fuel entered the system, we saw the frost appear to be full in the liquid oxygen tank, with just a light dusting appearing on the liquid methane tank. Along with the fueling, we saw flap testing being conducted with those giant aerodynamic surfaces waving back and forth like the fins of a mechanical whale. It was like watching a giant high-tech popsicle performing gymnastics against the Texas sky. Then the moment arrived. An engine activation occurred that shook the ground and filled the monitors of every remote camera in the vicinity. From the far footage, the sheer power of the test was evident immediately. Thanks to the flame trench design, smoke and dust were blown decisively to one side of the pad. This is a huge improvement over earlier designs, where the dust cloud would often swallow the entire vehicle, leaving us guessing as to what was happening inside the chaos. Looking at this specific cloud of smoke and dust, it was immediately clear that all six engines were running simultaneously. This generated approximately 1,700 tons of thrust, which, to put it in perspective for our younger viewers, is roughly equivalent to the weight of about 300 fully grown elephants all trying to jump at the same time. The close-up footage provided by SpaceX was equally impressive. Through the gaps in the test stand, you could clearly see the six ship engines creating a stunning mock diamond effect. For the professionals in the room, you know that these diamonds are a visual representation of the shock waves formed in the supersonic exhaust of the rocket as it interacts with the atmosphere. For everyone else, it just looks like a beautiful glowing sequence of purple and blue diamonds tucked inside a pillar of fire. It's one of the most beautiful sights in all of engineering, and it serves as a testament to the SpaceX once again demonstrated the durability of these engines in what they officially called a full duration test. The test appeared to last for nearly 60 seconds, which is consistent with the duration we've seen in recent successful ship tests. Why does 60 seconds matter? Well, in the world of high-performance rocketry, a minute is an eternity. It's enough time for SpaceX to gather mountains of data on how the hardware handles the heat and vibration. It allowed them to demonstrate the engine's durability over extended periods, while also giving the engineers an opportunity to test maneuverability features like gimbal control and thrust adjustment. Imagine trying to steer a wild horse that is also on fire and moving at several times the speed of sound. That is essentially what the flight computers are doing during these gimbal tests. No problems were reported after the test, which is the best news we could have hoped for. Musk later confirmed the success on social media with a short but sweet message stating that Starship Static Fire was successful. Of course, a rocket is more than just its engines. The capabilities of the fuel tanks and the complex web of pipelines are also crucial for success. We have to remember that to reach this milestone, the Starship program had to navigate several painful test problems. Many of you will remember the S-36 explosion, which was a spectacular and heartbreaking reminder of how difficult this business can be. But those experiences were not in vain. They helped SpaceX make the upgrades necessary to ensure the stability we are seeing today with S-39. The launch system itself also deserves some credit. Since its implementation, the flame trench has consistently demonstrated strong support capabilities. By directing the immense power of the engines away from the vehicle and using the deluge system to dampen the sound and heat, the infrastructure at Massey's has become a world-class testing site. After the S-36 incident, the facility received major upgrades that have significantly increased testing efficiency. This allows for these 60-second full-duration tests to happen with much more regularity and much less risk to the surrounding hardware. So now that the biggest test for the ship is behind us, what is next for our star performer, S-39? Many industry insiders predict that S-39 might undergo one more single-engine test. This would be a way to demonstrate the engine's ability to reactivate after it has already gone through a high-intensity burn. In a real mission, this is called a relight test, and it's vital for things like de-orbit burns or moving from one orbit to another. However, it's equally possible that S-39 will be rolled back to the production site almost immediately. We've seen a new road closure scheduled for the path between Massey's and the production site, specifically between 12pm and 4pm on the 15th. Depending on when you're seeing this, that massive stainless steel tower might already be on the move. Once it arrives back at the base, the engineers will go over it with a fine-tooth comb. They will check the engines, the fuel lines, and those crucial heat shield upgrades on the leeward side of the ship. Once the inspections are done, they will install the simulated payloads and the Flight Termination System, or FTS. That is the system nobody wants to use, but everyone is glad is there, as it ensures the vehicle can be safely destroyed if it veers off course. After that, it's off to the pad to be stacked on top of B-19 for the main event. Speaking of the booster, while S-39 has been grabbing all the headlines, B-19 has been remarkably quiet. This brings us to a bit of a mystery. After an initial test attempt that included an igniter test, B-19 has shown very little activity. There was some suspicion of problem with either the vehicle or the launch pad when the transporter stand was brought back toward the pad, but that issue seemed to be resolved quickly. We then saw a second test of the Ground Support Equipment, or GSE, but throughout April 14th, pad 2 remained mostly silent. Fuel trucks were seen arriving and it appeared that a loading process began, but it stopped prematurely. We didn't even see the frost buildup that usually signals a full tank. Something likely went wrong, though we don't have the specifics just yet. We did see the ship quick disconnect arm opening and closing repeatedly, and the giant chopsticks of the launch tower were lowered to hold the booster in place, possibly to allow technicians to fix a minor mechanical issue. Because of this, the test schedule has been pushed back. April 15th is now the primary date for the booster test, with April 16th serving as the backup. It's interesting to note that SpaceX originally aimed for this test on April 12th. The schedule has been pushed back several times to accommodate cryogenic testing. While three delays might seem like a lot, it's actually quite common when you're dealing with the most powerful booster ever built, if the rocket is safely on the ground, rather than at T plus 30 seconds during a launch. We're all rooting for the B-19 crew to clear these hurdles so we can see that massive booster come to life. While we wait on SpaceX to finish their checks, we have to look toward Blue Origin, which has been making its own waves recently. After seeing New Glenn finally stand vertical on its launch pad, the world has been waiting for its first hot fire test. Much like B-19, New Glenn has been taking its time. Recently, Blue Origin shared an update indicating that they had conducted a successful launch rehearsal for the NG-3 mission. This is a big step. A launch rehearsal is basically a full dress rehearsal for a play. You do everything except the actual performance. You count down, you load the fuel, you test the communications, and you make sure the ground crews know where exactly to stand. The only thing you do not do is light the engines. Blue Origin confirmed that this rehearsal was a success, which means the vehicle and the ground systems are communicating well. However, the hot fire test, which involves actually firing the engines while the rocket is bolted to the ground, is still pending. CEO Dave Limp noted that while this booster has flown before, the engines are new, which makes a static fire absolutely mandatory. The current target for this test is April 15th, which is ironically just one day before the planned launch date. For those who work in the field, you know that a one-day turnaround between a first-time hot fire and a launch is incredibly ambitious. Most companies want at least a few days to analyze the data and make sure no tiny cracks or leaks developed during the intense heat of the firing. It's a bold move by Blue Origin, but they seem determined to push forward. They've also officially launched their Jaclyn drone ship, named after Jeff Bezos' mother. They're aiming for a booster landing on this upcoming flight, and if they pull it off, they will have landed the same booster twice in a row. They still have a long way to go to catch up to the flight cadence of the SpaceX Falcon 9, but for only their third flight, these are massive strides. Now, let us shift our gaze from the rockets themselves to the people who will eventually ride them. Axiom Space, NASA's primary contractor for lunar spacesuits, is pushing toward Artemis with a clear shift in focus. Not how we reach the moon, but what we wear when we get there. This is not fashion, this is survival. The moon is less a tropical getaway and more a giant vacuum cleaner set to kill. Their Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit, or AXEMU, is slated for major testing in potentially on both Artemis 3 and the ISS. Following the 41st Space Symposium, Axiom confirmed design evaluations are nearly complete, with a fully functional suit now in assembly for certification. Think of it as a flexible person-shaped spacecraft, durable enough to endure radiation and extreme temperatures, yet nimble enough to pick up rocks. Essentially a very high stakes onesie that prevents your blood from boiling. During Artemis 3, Orion will dock with landers from SpaceX and Blue Origin, and Axiom is ensuring suit compatibility across both. The suit will likely fly first as uncrewed payload, allowing engineers to monitor pressure behavior before human use. It's always polite to let the laundry go first, just in case things get explosive. ISS testing remains possible, though complicated by international logistics and security constraints. Still, Axiom sees value in long-duration testing to evaluate material performance over time, work that will inform both lunar missions and future commercial stations. Thank you for joining me for this deep dive into the latest updates. It's a privilege to share these milestones with such a passionate community. Until next time, keep your eyes on the stars, stay curious, and keep looking up.