Space exploration is about to get a serious tech boost as SpaceX continues pushing the boundaries of rocket engineering. The company’s latest Super Heavy booster has successfully completed critical cryogenic testing, signaling a major milestone in their ambitious Starship development program.

During an intensive six-day testing campaign at Starbase in Texas, ground teams put the massive 237-foot-tall stainless-steel rocket through rigorous thermal and pressurization cycles. By using liquid nitrogen as a stand-in for actual rocket fuel, engineers carefully evaluated the booster’s structural integrity and redesigned propellant systems.

This latest test comes after previous challenges with earlier Starship versions. SpaceX launched the Starship V2 five times last year, experiencing failures in the first three attempts before achieving successful outcomes in the final two flights. Now, the company is transitioning to the upgraded Starship V3 or Block 3 configuration.

The new booster, designated as Booster 19, represents a significant leap forward in rocket technology. Unlike previous versions, this iteration features Raptor 3 engines with improved characteristics. These next-generation engines promise higher thrust and enhanced reliability, with a more streamlined design that integrates plumbing and sensors directly into the engine’s structure.

One key improvement is the elimination of separate heat shields between engines, simplifying the rocket’s base configuration. This design change not only reduces complexity but potentially increases overall performance and manufacturing efficiency.

SpaceX technicians will now proceed with mounting 33 Raptor engines and installing grid fins, preparing the booster for its upcoming test flight. The successful cryoproof testing represents a crucial step toward the company’s ongoing mission of developing reusable spacecraft capable of supporting ambitious space exploration goals.

As the aerospace industry continues to evolve, SpaceX remains at the forefront of innovation, consistently pushing technological boundaries and reimagining what’s possible in space travel.