# Elon Musk's SpaceX is gearing up for what could be the most critical test of its Starship megarocket to date.

*aerospace · news · 2026-05-19 · Scientific American*

## Key points

- OSHA is investigating a recent worker death at SpaceX's Starbase facility in Texas.
- The upcoming Starship test is the first flight of Starship V3, its largest version yet.
- NASA is planning to test Starship's ability to dock with Orion in Earth orbit in 2027.
- A 2025 federal watchdog report warns SpaceX's Starship is significantly behind schedule for NASA's needs.
- The forthcoming test flight's date has shifted twice and is now targeted for May 21.

**Companies:** SpaceX
**Countries:** United States

[Read the full story on Scientific American](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/spacex-punts-starship-v3-launch-to-may-21-as-investigation-opens-into-starbase-worker-death/)

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