SpaceX’s Ship 39 Advances to Cryogenic Testing as Preparations for Flight 12 Continue

After a few months of extensive preparations in Mega Bay 2, SpaceX’s Ship 39, the inaugural vessel of the V3 series, has moved to Masseys for a critical phase of cryogenic proof testing. This progress marks a significant step toward the upcoming Flight 12, with Booster 19 concurrently undergoing engine installation in preparation for future operations.

Ship 39, identified by Elon Musk as V3 SN1 in an X post, was stacked on November 15, 2025, and remained in Mega Bay 2 until the new testing truss structure at Masseys was constructed and ready. On February 26, Ship 39 was placed on the static fire stand, where it was assessed sans engines before being rolled out for essential cryogenic tests.

For this round of testing, SpaceX will use components from the upgraded Masseys tank farm to conduct cryogenic evaluations of Ship 39. The plan also includes testing the ship’s forward and aft flaps using the new truss structure, as well as performing squeeze tests with innovative chopstick simulators. These tests are particularly noteworthy, as they represent a new approach for SpaceX to gauge the structural integrity of the entire vessel in preparation for future missions where the ship will be caught mid-air.

Ahead of rolling Ship 39 back to the production facility, teams may run a practice load on the methane tank farm to verify operational readiness. Two paths lie ahead: one scenario involves returning Ship 39 to a work stand for engine installation before being sent back for static fire tests. Alternatively, due to the current stand’s lack of thrust rams for aft dome testing, the ship may be moved to a newly constructed thrust simulation stand for another round of evaluations before engine installation.

In terms of design, Ship 39 showcases several notable advancements over its predecessor, Block 2. The aft section heat shield has seen refined engineering, using standard-sized tiles to enhance efficiency, while the aft flaps are now equipped with specialized tiles. This shift allows nearly all tiles to be affixed using pins rather than relying on glue—a significant change from past projects, including the Space Shuttle, where such methods posed challenges.

Further design modifications include a revamped quick disconnect mechanism that separates the Liquid Oxygen (LOX) and Liquid Methane (LCH4) plates on the ship’s side, aimed at streamlining future refueling processes in orbit. To facilitate these operations, Ship 39 is outfitted with two drogue housings, essential for docking and fuel transfer between vessels.

On the other hand, Booster 19, which completed its cryogenic proof testing and returned to Mega Bay 1 on February 9, 2026, is gearing up for static fire trials. Although some raptor engines have already been installed, details regarding the booster’s readiness and how many engines will be present during initial tests remain uncertain. There is a possibility that Booster 19 could roll out with just 13 engines initially for preliminary tanking and static fire tests.

Recent activity at Mega Bay 1 suggests momentum is building for Booster 19’s rollout, including the removal of scaffolding from the launch mount and the arrival of water trucks, hinting at preparations for a deluge test before vehicle operations commence.

Though there is still a considerable distance to cover before the ambitious Flight 12 becomes a reality, SpaceX’s methodical progression through these testing phases underscores its dedication to ensuring that every element functions correctly for future missions.