Lo que hará STARSHIP en el próximo lanzamiento será HISTÓRICO

Official Announcement of Starship's 12th Launch

Overview of the Upcoming Launch

• SpaceX has officially confirmed that the 12th launch of Starship will take place on May 19, 2026. This announcement includes details about the new version of Starship and Super Heavy prototypes.

Satellite Deployment and New Features

• The satellites deployed during this mission will be equipped with cameras to capture footage of the spacecraft from outside, highlighting the importance of new white tiles in this process.

Flight Trajectory and Landing Plans

No Recovery Attempt for This Launch

• SpaceX will not attempt to catch either the spacecraft or rocket during this flight due to their newness; instead, Super Heavy will simulate a water landing in the Gulf of Mexico while Starship will land in the Indian Ocean.

Changes in Propellant Filling Process

Improved Efficiency

• The propellant filling process for both Starship and Super Heavy is set to begin 15 minutes earlier than usual, allowing them to fill up in just 38 minutes—an impressive feat compared to previous launches.

Engine Performance Enhancements

Raptor Engine Improvements

• The new Raptor 3 engines have shown an increase in thrust by 8.7% at sea level and 6.6% in a vacuum, which significantly enhances performance during launch despite being close to physical limits.

Timeline Adjustments During Ascent

Faster Ascent Profile

• With increased engine power, key milestones such as reaching maximum aerodynamic stress (MaxQ) will occur approximately 15 seconds faster than before, leading to earlier engine shutdown and stage separation events.

Satellite Deployment Enhancements

Increased Number of Satellites Deployed

• In space, Starship S39 plans to deploy 22 Starlink satellites—double the previous number—with improved release speed due to upgraded actuators and drivers for better efficiency.

Camera-equipped Satellites for Thermal Shield Analysis

Innovative Use of Cameras

• The last two deployed satellites will carry cameras designed to record images of Starship’s thermal shield during its mission, providing valuable data for engineers analyzing potential damage or tile loss post-launch.

Thermal Tile Testing Strategy

Reference Tiles for Damage Assessment

• White-painted tiles on Starship serve as reference points for assessing any lost tiles through satellite imagery analysis after deployment; these are crucial for understanding thermal protection system integrity.

New Hardware Developments

Attitude Control Improvements

• New attitude control hardware featuring small thrusters replaces old venting holes, enhancing maneuverability during orbital operations and facilitating precise docking capabilities between spacecraft.

Reentry Maneuvers

Enhanced Reentry Procedures

• Upon reentering Earth's atmosphere, Starship will execute advanced maneuvers similar to those seen in previous flights aimed at optimizing descent trajectory towards recovery platforms at Starbase.

Conclusion & Future Insights

Anticipation for Upcoming Launch

• Acknowledgment that many details remain undisclosed but promises further insights during live coverage on launch day; viewers encouraged to stay tuned for updates and additional information regarding this historic flight event.