Starship V3 · Kennedy Space Center, Florida

Starship Flight 16 launch date

Starship Flight 16 has no official launch date. An FAA airspace planning slide in October listed December 10, 2026. In November, NASASpaceflight reported that early 2027 now looks more likely, because the Ship 43 static fire is not due until mid-December. Flight 16 is planned as the first Starship launch from Florida, from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center. It does not launch from Starbase, Texas, so you cannot see it from Boca Chica Beach or South Padre Island. Watch it online on the SpaceX webcast on X.

Launch: Early 2027?
Site: Florida
Vehicles: B23 · S43
Status: Planned

Not from Starbase

Flight 16 flies from Florida

Flight 16 is planned from Kennedy Space Center, not Starbase. Highway 4 and Boca Chica Beach will not close for it, and you cannot see it from the Rio Grande Valley. Watch the SpaceX webcast on X. We send launch alerts for Starbase launches only, so there is no alert for Flight 16.

Starbase, Texas

Starship launches so far: 14
Cleared launches a year: 25
See it from the Rio Grande Valley: Yes

Pad 39A, Florida

Starship launches so far: 0Flight 16 is planned as the first
Cleared launches a year: 44
See it from the Rio Grande Valley: No, watch online

SpaceX on X ↗ (opens in a new tab)The flight log →

Never miss a launch

Get told when Starbase flies next

Our alerts cover launches from Starbase, Texas. We’ll email you when the next date firms up, and text you at T-0 if you leave a number, so you can plan the drive.

Key facts

Launch date: No official date (reports now point to early 2027)
Launch site: Launch Complex 39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida (planned)
Vehicles: Booster 23 and Ship 43 (reported)
A first: The first Starship launch from Florida
Visible from Starbase: No. It launches about 1,000 miles away
Watch online: SpaceX webcast on X

Before it can fly

What has to happen first

2 of 7 done

Next: Ship 43 static fire · Mid-Dec 2026

DoneThe FAA and the Air Force finished the environmental review for Starship at pad 39A: up to 44 launches a year (January 29, 2026).
Federal Register: Starship at LC-39A, Record of Decision (Jan 29) (opens in a new tab)
DoneShip 43 finished its cryogenic proof test at Starbase (October 23).
Tech Insider: the Florida launch date (Oct 15) (opens in a new tab)
WaitingShip 43 static fire at Starbase, expected in mid-December.
NASASpaceflight: Flight 15 awaits the FAA (Nov 2026) (opens in a new tab)
WaitingBooster 23 and Ship 43 travel to Florida (early to mid-January, at the earliest).
NASASpaceflight: Flight 15 and 16 milestones (Oct 18) (opens in a new tab)
WaitingBooster 23 static fire on pad 39A, to activate the site.
NASASpaceflight: Flight 15 and 16 milestones (Oct 18) (opens in a new tab)
WaitingThe FAA adds pad 39A to the Starship launch license.
NASASpaceflight: Flight 15 and 16 milestones (Oct 18) (opens in a new tab)
WaitingSpaceX names a launch date.

Checked November 10, 2026. Our read of published reports, not an official date.

Starship Flight 16: FAQ

When is the Starship Flight 16 launch date?

Where does Starship Flight 16 launch from?

Flight 16 is planned from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It would be the first Starship launch from Florida. Every Starship flight before it launched from Starbase, Texas. SpaceX has not confirmed the plan, and NASASpaceflight calls it subject to change.

Can I watch Flight 16 from Starbase or South Padre Island?

No. Flight 16 launches from Florida, about 1,000 miles from Starbase. Highway 4 and Boca Chica Beach do not close for it. Watch it online on the SpaceX webcast on X.

Will Starbase Events send an alert for Flight 16?

No. Our emails and texts cover launches from Starbase, Texas. Sign up on this page to get an alert when the next Starbase launch has a date.

What is the next Starship launch from Starbase?

SpaceX has not named the next Starbase flight after Flight 15. Our flight log lists it as soon as Launch Library 2 does, and the launch alerts tell you when its date firms up.