SpaceX Successfully Launches Starship V3 Rocket On Major Test Flight

SpaceX has successfully launched its massive Starship V3 rocket on a major test flight after an earlier delay caused by a technical issue.

The uncrewed rocket, regarded as the most powerful and tallest ever built, blasted off from Texas on Friday evening following days of anticipation surrounding the launch.

The test mission marked the 12th Starship flight carried out by the company owned by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk.

During the mission, the rocket deployed 20 dummy satellites into space before re-entering Earth’s atmosphere. About an hour after launch, it splashed down in the Indian Ocean, where it exploded as planned.

Reacting after the launch, Musk praised the SpaceX team on X, describing the mission as a major achievement for humanity.

“Congratulations @SpaceX team on an epic first Starship V3 launch & landing! You scored a goal for humanity,” he wrote.

The launch had initially been scheduled for Thursday but was postponed because of a malfunction involving the launch tower.

Although the mission recorded some engine failures during flight, SpaceX still achieved most of its primary objectives, with the overall test widely considered successful.

The latest Starship V3 design stands about 124 metres tall, making it the largest rocket ever built.

The successful launch is expected to boost confidence ahead of SpaceX’s planned Initial Public Offering, which analysts say could become one of the biggest stock market listings in history.

The development is also significant for NASA, which plans to use Starship for future lunar missions under its moon exploration programme.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman congratulated SpaceX after the launch, saying the mission moved humanity “one step closer to the Moon” and “one step closer to Mars.”

Beyond rocket launches, SpaceX also operates the satellite internet service Starlink and has ties to Musk’s artificial intelligence company xAI.