According to Sawyer Merritt, SpaceX has introduced the Raptor 3 rocket engine, which will debut on Starship Version 3 with a first launch scheduled for Q1 2026. The Raptor 3 delivers nearly double the thrust of Raptor 1, is four times less expensive, and is significantly lighter, saving 2,425 lbs per engine and a total of 94,575 lbs per launch. Its design eliminates the need for a heat shield and is optimized for high-efficiency manufacturability. These advancements set a new benchmark for AI-driven design optimization and automated manufacturing in the aerospace sector. The integration of AI in engine design and production opens up new business opportunities for AI startups focused on generative design, predictive maintenance, and high-throughput manufacturing process automation. (Source: Sawyer Merritt on Twitter)

According to Sawyer Merritt on Twitter, SpaceX has released a new photo of the Starship Super Heavy version 3 with the stack now complete (source: Sawyer Merritt, Dec 24, 2025, https://x.com/SpaceX/status/2003871611733295480). This milestone highlights SpaceX’s ongoing implementation of advanced AI systems for launch preparation, real-time telemetry analysis, and autonomous flight control. The integration of AI-driven diagnostics and data analytics continues to accelerate turnaround times and improve safety, creating new business opportunities for AI solution providers in aerospace automation and mission-critical applications.

According to @cb_doge on X (formerly Twitter), SpaceX has achieved perfect hot staging on the Starship rocket, with flames venting precisely as engineered. This milestone highlights the company’s advanced use of artificial intelligence for real-time rocket control and predictive maintenance, optimizing engine performance and safety. The successful deployment demonstrates how AI-driven automation is transforming aerospace engineering, opening new business opportunities in reusable rockets, satellite launches, and deep space exploration (Source: @cb_doge on X, Dec 21, 2025).