On Friday, SpaceX successfully launched its largest and most powerful Starship rocket from Starbase in Texas. This test flight is a pivotal step in the company's ambition to eventually reach Mars, but it is also intended to support NASA's Artemis program, which aims to land astronauts on the moon. The rocket carried 20 mock Starlink satellites and represents the 12th test flight in its development. Standing at 407 feet (124 meters), this third-generation Starship, designated V3, surpasses its predecessors in height and engine thrust. The launch comes shortly after CEO Elon Musk announced plans to take SpaceX public, adding a layer of significance to the event. The rocket is designed to be fully reusable, although recovery mechanisms were not employed during this flight, with the first-stage booster expected to land in the Gulf of Mexico. Meanwhile, NASA is investing billions in both SpaceX and Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin to develop lunar landers for the Artemis program, intensifying competition between the two companies. As SpaceX continues to refine its launch processes, it hopes to avoid the midair explosions that plagued earlier flights.