UNITED KINGDOM PERSPECTIVE

London, May 23, 2026. The largest rocket ever built lifted off from Texas, and British press did not miss noting that the timing was hardly coincidental. Two days after Elon Musk announced SpaceX's initial public offering—an operation that could make him the world's first trillionaire—Starship V3 launched from Starbase, near the Mexican border, for its twelfth test flight inaugural in this new configuration.

The BBC reports that the rocket, standing 124 meters tall—equivalent to more than 40 stories—lifted off at 22:30 GMT, deployed 20 dummy satellites in orbit, survived atmospheric reentry and plunged into the Indian Ocean approximately one hour after launch, where it exploded as planned. "Congratulations @SpaceX team on an epic first Starship V3 launch and landing!" Musk wrote on X. "You scored a goal for humanity."

The flight was not flawless. Both stages of the rocket experienced engine failures. The Daily Mail notes that Starship lost the use of one of its six new Raptor 3 engines and had to burn the remaining five longer to compensate. The Super Heavy booster failed to complete its controlled return maneuver and descended into the Gulf of Mexico in an uncontrolled manner. Despite these setbacks, the mission achieved most of its primary objectives—a result described as widely satisfactory by both newsrooms.

For London, the stakes extend beyond the pyrotechnic spectacle. Starship V3 is the centerpiece of NASA's Artemis program, whose goal is to return astronauts to the Moon. The Daily Mail indicates that Artemis IV, which will use Starship as a lunar lander, is scheduled for 2026—with a revised target of 2028 according to various accounts. "One step closer to the Moon... one step closer to Mars", posted NASA administrator Jared Isaacman on X following the launch.

But it is the financial dimension that occupies a notable place in British coverage. The BBC emphasizes that SpaceX's IPO, which could launch as early as next month, is grounded in a valuation of 1.25 trillion dollars, which would make Musk the world's first trillionaire through his stake. Starlink, SpaceX's satellite internet service, and xAI, the controversial artificial intelligence firm also held by Musk, are cited as pillars of this valuation. A successful test—even partially—mechanically strengthens the credibility of the IPO prospectus.

British press thus interprets this launch as a credible milestone on the road to commercial spaceflight, without glossing over the technical limitations of the flight. The equation between industrial ambition, NASA's dependence on a single private actor, and Elon Musk's stock market calendar frames how London understands this launch.