After a scrubbed launch on Thursday, SpaceX’s first V3 Starship left Pad 2 at Starbase on Friday evening. SpaceX is now preparing to go public, and a lot of its big promises hinge on the development of vehicles like the next-generation Starship and Super Heavy vehicle launched today. The booster will not attempt a return this time, while the Flight 12 Starship is attempting to deploy 20 Starlink simulators and two “modified” Starlink satellites. [Media: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwMw_8ukKrA]

Here's why SpaceX waited seven months to try to fly Starship again.

SpaceX’s Starship-Super Heavy performs a wet dress rehearsal tanking test in preparation for the 12th integrated test flight of the launch vehicle. Image: SpaceX