SpaceX successfully launched its massive Starship V3 rocket on Friday after a previous attempt was postponed due to technical problems.

The launch took place from the company’s Starbase facility in Texas during a 90-minute launch window that opened at 6:30 p.m. ET. The mission marked the 12th test flight of the Starship system and represented a major milestone for the company ahead of its anticipated public market debut.

Led by Elon Musk, SpaceX recently disclosed its IPO prospectus and is reportedly aiming to raise around $75 billion in a public offering next month. The company was valued at approximately $1.25 trillion earlier this year following its merger with Musk’s artificial intelligence startup xAI.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman attended the launch at Starbase and appeared alongside SpaceX employees during a livestream celebrating the company’s achievements. Isaacman has previously led private SpaceX missions around Earth and maintains a close relationship with Musk.

During Friday’s mission, SpaceX successfully deployed mock satellites into orbit and broadcast live video from space. However, the company acknowledged that not all objectives were achieved.

The Super Heavy booster, which powers Starship during ascent, suffered failures shortly after stage separation. Additional anomalies occurred during an engine relight sequence, causing damage to the booster and resulting in a loss of control.

Despite these issues, the Starship upper stage continued flying and reached speeds of Mach 7 before reigniting two engines and performing a vertical splashdown in the Indian Ocean. The spacecraft later tipped over and exploded after its nose struck the water, which SpaceX described as an expected outcome of the test.

SpaceX says Starship is designed to carry up to 100 metric tons into Earth’s orbit in a fully reusable configuration with rapid turnaround times similar to commercial aviation.

The rocket system is central to SpaceX’s long-term plans for expanding its Starlink satellite internet network and supporting future lunar missions. NASA plans to use Starship to land astronauts on the Moon in 2028.

The latest test flight was SpaceX’s first Starship mission in seven months following a series of explosions and setbacks earlier in 2025 that caused debris concerns and disrupted air traffic.