Starship Testing Setback Raises Questions About 2026 Milestones

[madtrader]

The loss of SpaceX’s first Starship V3 booster may create delays just as the company gears up for an ambitious 2026 schedule, including its first in-orbit propellant transfer demo for NASA.
Any significant slowdown threatens the timeline for NASA’s Artemis program, which requires Starship to refuel in space before crewed moon landings.

Acting NASA administrator Sean Duffy has already expressed concern about SpaceX’s pace, suggesting Blue Origin could be considered for future contracts.
Blue Origin, meanwhile, is accelerating development: its New Glenn rocket completed its second flight last week and achieved its first booster landing.

[Rimon Khan]

Delays are normal in aerospace, but 2026 targets may need a rethink.

[Nahid Hossen]

Every setback teaches something — but timeline risk is real.