Elon Musk's SpaceX launches Starship V3 rocket after delays

Elon Musk's SpaceX has launched the largest and most powerful rocket in history after its highly anticipated test flight was delayed. The uncrewed Starship V3 rocket blasted off from Texas just after 17:30 (22:30 GMT) on Friday, days after SpaceX revealed plans for a record-breaking stock market debut. Once in space, Starship deployed 20 dummy satellites before making re-entry and about an hour after launch it splashed down in the Indian Ocean, where it exploded as planned. "Congratulations @SpaceX team on an epic first Starship V3 launch & landing!" Musk wrote on X. "You scored a goal for humanity." The first attempted launch on Thursday was postponed due to a launch-tower malfunction. The SpaceX team celebrated after the launch, and while the mission achieved most of its major objectives, it did not go exactly to plan. Both stages of the rocket suffered engine failures but the test flight was largely successful – a result that will likely boost confidence both for investors and for Nasa, which intends to use the Starship vehicle in future missions to the moon. Nasa Administrator Jared Isaacman congratulated Musk and the SpaceX team. "One step closer to the Moon… one step closer t