SpaceX has completed the first test flight of its upgraded Starship V3 rocket, sending the huge uncrewed vehicle into space from southern Texas after an earlier attempt was delayed by a problem at the launch tower.
The rocket lifted off from SpaceX’s Starbase facility on Friday evening, marking another important trial for the company’s most ambitious launch system. Standing about 124 metres tall, the latest Starship design is being developed as a fully reusable vehicle that could eventually carry satellites, cargo, and astronauts on missions beyond Earth orbit.
The flight lasted around an hour and achieved several major goals. After reaching space, Starship deployed 20 dummy satellites, a test designed to help SpaceX assess procedures linked to future Starlink missions. The spacecraft then re-entered the atmosphere before coming down in the Indian Ocean, where it exploded as planned after splashdown.
“Congratulations @SpaceX team on an epic first Starship V3 launch & landing!” Musk wrote on X. “You scored a goal for humanity.”
The mission was not entirely smooth. SpaceX said both stages of the rocket experienced engine issues during the flight, although the vehicle still completed many of the key demonstrations planned for the test.
The result was nevertheless viewed as a significant step forward for the Starship programme, particularly after Thursday’s launch attempt was postponed because of a launch-tower malfunction.
The outcome is likely to be closely watched by NASA, which has selected a version of Starship for future Artemis missions to the Moon. The rocket is also central to Musk’s long-term plan to build a transport system capable of supporting human missions to Mars.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman congratulated Musk and the SpaceX team. “One step closer to the Moon… one step closer to Mars,” he posted on X.
The test comes at a pivotal moment for SpaceX, which is preparing for a possible initial public offering that could rank among the largest in Wall Street history. Reports have suggested the company may seek a valuation of about $1.25 trillion, reflecting the scale of its rocket business, its Starlink satellite internet service, and its links to the artificial intelligence firm xAI.