SpaceX could have did not launch Starship V3 on Thursday, however the firm revealed some fascinating info forward of the launch try. With lower than quarter-hour left within the countdown, commentators launched the one who will lead SpaceX’s first manned mission to Mars.
Throughout the dwell webcast, SpaceX performed a video of Chung Wang, a cryptocurrency billionaire and personal astronaut, talking from Bouvet Island within the South Atlantic Ocean. Wang defined that he has been to area as soon as earlier than, however will now embark on Starship flybys of the Moon and Mars. SpaceX has not disclosed a goal launch date for this mission, nevertheless it could possibly be the world’s first interplanetary manned spaceflight.
Who’s Chun Wan?
Mr. Wang co-founded F2Pool, one in all China’s first Bitcoin mining swimming pools. He made his fortune by cryptocurrency ventures and now I will explain He’s additionally a “full-time traveler” and has not too long ago grow to be excited about industrial spaceflight.
Wang has flown into area as soon as earlier than, serving because the commander of SpaceX’s Fram2 mission. Mr. Wang additionally funded the flight that took him and three different first-ever industrial astronauts on a three-day journey across the Earth’s poles. They flew aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, which was launched by the corporate’s Falcon 9 rocket on March 31, 2025.
Mr. Wang’s upcoming mission to Mars will probably be a far higher feat. In keeping with spacepolicyonline.comA spherical journey flight takes about two years. Nevertheless, in a recorded interview with SpaceX communications supervisor Huot, Wang mentioned he was not apprehensive in regards to the lengthy journey.
“I can have a look at the map from takeoff to touchdown on a airplane, so I feel I will benefit from the journey,” he mentioned. However Starship V3’s journey from its first take a look at flight to its first interplanetary mission could possibly be even longer.
Starship V3 stumbles once more
rear cancel Thursday’s launch try was held on the final minute on account of mechanical points with the launch tower, however SpaceX plans to attempt once more immediately with a objective of launching at 6:30 p.m. ET. You may watch it dwell right here.
Anticipation for Starship V3’s first flight has been constructing for months. This newest model of the corporate’s super-heavy-lift launch car is the biggest and strongest rocket ever constructed, and is important to the objectives of each SpaceX and NASA. The company initially deliberate to make use of a modified model of Starship V3 to return astronauts to the moon, however on account of important improvement delays, it’s also contemplating a lander being developed by Blue Origin.
The manufacturing facility has a big pipeline of V3 ships and boosters. The delay from the earlier launch was on account of an nearly full redesign of the principle construction, engines, electronics, and launch tower from V2.
Should you fail immediately, it will not have an effect on your schedule for greater than a month or so.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 21, 2026
“It is extraordinarily essential for NASA that this flight goes effectively,” Eric Berger, Ars Technica’s senior area editor, informed XPost forward of Thursday’s article. “An extra six-month delay in Starship improvement doubtless means Blue Origin will doubtless be the company’s most suitable choice for touchdown on the moon in 2028 or 2029.”
That caught Musk’s consideration. “Now we have a big pipeline of V3 ships and boosters on the manufacturing facility,” he replied. “The delay from the earlier launch was on account of a virtually full redesign of the principle construction, engines, electronics and launch tower beginning with V2. Right now’s failure won’t influence the schedule for greater than a month or so.”
The problem that compelled SpaceX to cancel Thursday’s launch plans had nothing to do with the rocket, so we hope engineers can shortly resolve the problem and launch Starship V3 tonight. But when the car suffers a sequence of early failures much like these seen with Starship V2, Wang could possibly be in for an extended look ahead to a visit to Mars.
