According to Sawyer Merritt on Twitter, Elon Musk announced SpaceX's next Starship launch will occur in early March, featuring the debut of Starship version 3 with the Raptor V3 engine. The Raptor V3 engine offers nearly double the thrust of its predecessor and is 4 times less expensive, indicating significant advancements in AI-driven manufacturing and optimization processes. These improvements are expected to streamline rocket production through enhanced automation and predictive maintenance, presenting new business opportunities for AI solution providers targeting aerospace efficiency and cost reduction (Source: @SawyerMerritt, Jan 26, 2026).

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)