First Starship V3 Final Preps for Flight 12 Completed! Even FAA Approval Is Here…

The road to the launch pad is once again alive with movement as the main stars of Flight 12, S-39, and B-19 return for testing and final launch preparations. And yes, the FAA has officially confirmed it. It means things are getting serious, so are you ready to follow along? Meanwhile, over in Florida, SpaceX finally launched the CRS-34 Cargo Dragon mission after weather delays tried their absolute best to become the main protagonist. At the same time, lawmakers in Washington are debating NASA's future budget, and the outcome could shape America's next phase of space exploration. So today, we have giant rockets, cargo missions, government drama, and enough cryogenic fuel to make every freezer in America jealous. Welcome back to another episode of Great SpaceX. The launch day for Starship Flight 12, which is expected to be the very first V3 Starship flight, is now getting incredibly close. And perhaps most importantly, the FAA launch license has now confirmed that the mission is moving forward. This approval is not just paperwork, it's a strong sign that the mission is entering its final phase, and right now, everything appears to be coming together at exactly the right time. That process already began last week when Starship was fully stacked for a complete wet dress rehearsal. Following the test, however, both S-39 and B-19 were moved back to the production site. That immediately suggested SpaceX wanted to perform additional inspections after the intense rehearsal. And then something unusual happened. On the morning of the 15th, S-39 was transported to Massey's for further testing. As soon as the ship arrived at the testing platform, activity increased rapidly. Later that afternoon, S-39 underwent a major cryogenic test. Observers could see strong venting activity along with heavy frost buildup around the fuel tanks, clear indicators that propellant loading was underway. As with previous standalone ship tests, the liquid oxygen tank appeared to be fully loaded. Meanwhile, the methane tank was only partially filled, estimated at roughly one-fifth capacity. That combination likely tells us something important. The objective was probably not a full mission simulation. Instead, SpaceX engineers were likely evaluating the performance of specific tanks, plumbing systems, and fuel transfer lines. There is a strong possibility that something during the earlier wet dress rehearsal prompted engineers to conduct additional standalone verification. Naturally, this led to an immediate question. Would S-39 also perform a static fire test? At the moment, that remained uncertain. And to be clear, some of this discussion is naturally speculative because events are moving incredibly quickly. By the time many people watched the footage online, some of these steps may have already happened. Still, based on the available schedules and closures, it quickly became clear that a static fire test was unlikely immediately after the cryogenic test. Why? Because transportation schedules had already been announced. Road closures were scheduled from 11.59pm on May 15th through 8am on the 16th for two separate vehicle movements. One movement involved transportation from the production site to the pad. The other involved transportation from Massey's back to production. The movement from Massey's almost certainly referred to Ship 39. Meanwhile, the transport from production to the pad likely referred to B-19. And the reason this matters is simple. Additional beach closure notices had already been issued for major testing operations. The first testing opportunity was scheduled from noon until 11pm on May 17th. A backup testing window was also established for the 18th. That schedule strongly implied that both flight vehicles needed to arrive at the launch site before those operations could begin. So here is all the overall sequence of events. After completing the cryogenic test, S-39 did not continue with additional testing at Massey's. Instead, it was transported back to Mega Bay 2. At roughly the same time, B-19 was moved toward the launch pad. SpaceX teams would then continue inspections and final integration work on S-39 during the afternoon of the 16th. Following that, the ship would likely roll out toward the launch site later that evening or early the next morning. Once both stages arrived at the pad, the full Starship stack would be assembled once again for another wet dress rehearsal. And while the vehicles themselves are obviously receiving most of the attention, the launch infrastructure is also undergoing continuous preparation. Following a full deluge system test on the 14th, SpaceX performed another similar test on the 15th. These repeated tests are extremely important. The deluge system helps protect the launch pad by releasing enormous amounts of water during engine ignition. Without it, the sheer acoustic and thermal energy generated by Starship's engines could seriously damage the surrounding infrastructure. Basically, the system exists to stop the launch pad from experiencing what can only be described as a very bad day. So far, the system appears to be performing reliably. At the same time, crews also began preparing the tower for vehicle arrival. The giant chopstick arms descended toward the OLM. Meanwhile, the SQD system repeatedly opened and closed as engineers prepared it to support the fully stacked vehicle. Every movement may look repetitive from the outside, but in reality, these are critical rehearsals for systems that must operate flawlessly during launch operations. During the upcoming wet dress rehearsal, SpaceX is expected to fully load into all tanks on both the ship and booster. Engineers will monitor tank pressures, loading rates, plumbing stability, software timing, and overall system reliability. Even the smallest irregularity matters. Because once Starship launches, there's no pause button. There's only flight, and possibly millions of people online pretending they totally understand every technical issue while simultaneously typing rapid unscheduled disassembly in the comments. If everything proceeds smoothly, S39 and B19 will then move into final launch preparations for a targeted launch on the afternoon of the 19th. Of course, schedules can still change. SpaceX has never been shy about delaying a launch if additional preparation time is needed. And honestly, that is probably the correct approach when your rocket is taller than most buildings. The final decision will likely depend heavily on the results of the upcoming tests. Still, what we are witnessing right now is an incredibly fast-paced operational period. The atmosphere surrounding this launch genuinely feels similar to the early days of Starship testing when every new milestone felt historic. There is excitement, there is uncertainty, and there is that familiar feeling that literally anything could happen. So now that the hardware is moving and the information is finally confirmed, the question becomes very simple. Are you ready? If you are, let me know with launch now in the comments section down below. Next, let's head over to Florida for an update on the CRS-34 Cargo Dragon mission. After weather delays on the 12th and 13th, SpaceX finally launched the mission successfully on the 14th. Falcon 9 lifted off from Cape Canaveral at 6.05pm Eastern and the mission proceeded smoothly from there. The first stage booster successfully returned to LZ-40, continuing the now almost routine spectacle of orbital rockets casually landing themselves like they are parallel parking at a very crowded park. Shortly after launch, Dragon separated successfully and began its autonomous journey toward the ISS. Docking is scheduled for 7am Eastern on the 17th at the Harmony Module. Dragon is carrying roughly 6,500 pounds of supplies, hardware, and scientific experiments. According to NASA, the cargo includes a project to determine how well Earth-based simulators mimic microgravity conditions, a bone scaffold made from wood that could produce new treatments for fragile bone conditions like osteoporosis, and equipment to evaluate how red blood cells and the spleen change in space to protect future astronauts. This mission also marks the 6th flight for this particular Dragon capsule, setting a new reuse record for a SpaceX cargo Dragon spacecraft. And that matters because reusability is not just about saving money, it's about building a transportation system capable of supporting large-scale activity in space. Dragon will remain attached to the ISS for about a month before returning time-sensitive research to Earth in mid-June. Unlike HTV-X, Progress, and Cygnus, Dragon survives reentry and brings cargo safely home, making it uniquely valuable for scientific research. Overall, CRS-34 once again demonstrates SpaceX's growing reliability in ISS operations and the company's central role in the future of commercial space-based infrastructure. And now, on to NASA's budget battle. On the 15th, the House Appropriations Committee released a spending bill rejecting major NASA budget cuts proposed by the White House. This is the second straight year proposed reductions have faced resistance. The committee voted 32-28 to advance the bill, with Rep. Hal Rogers stating, The fiscal 2027 bill maintains strong funding for NASA to ensure America remains the leader in space exploration. This bill sets NASA on a path to return American astronauts to the moon before China and ensures America maintains its competitive edge and advantage. That quote highlights the core issue here. NASA funding is no longer just about science. It's increasingly tied to economics, technology, geopolitics, and America's position in the modern space race. Or to put it another way, congressional hearings about rockets are somehow becoming more dramatic than streaming shows lately. The proposed bill would keep NASA funding near 2026 levels at roughly $24.438 billion compared to the White House proposal that suggested a 23% reduction to $18.829 billion. Exploration programs would see increases, though some science divisions still face cuts, particularly Earth science programs, which could see reductions approaching 40%. And then there is Artemis because, of course, we have to talk about Artemis. The bill allocates approximately $2.6 billion for the SLS and blocks NASA from shifting SLS funding until a commercial alternative is proven to meet or exceed the capabilities provided by the SLS and Orion systems. That language directly reflects the growing debate between traditional NASA programs and commercial systems like Starship. At the same time, the committee strongly backed Artemis goals, including long-term lunar operations, lunar payload missions, spacesuits, and rovers. Clearly, support for lunar exploration remains strong, but so does the pressure to make these ambitions financially sustainable. Everyone wants ambitious exploration. The hard part is agreeing how to pay for it. And ultimately, Congress will make the final decision later this year, so now the question turns to you. Do you support the House Committee's decision regarding NASA funding? And how should the balance between government programs and commercial space development be handled? Let me know your thoughts in the comments section down below. Otherwise, folks, that brings us to the end of today's episode. Thank you so much for tuning in. As always, this has been Kevin from GreatSpaceX, and until next time, keep looking up!