SpaceX's Starship, the world's largest rocket that launches in South Texas, has inspired several companies in China to develop similar designs.

Could SpaceX launch a new design of Starship in January? Here's what to know about a mission Elon Musk's company refers to as flight 12.

SpaceX's Starship, the world's largest rocket that could launch in 2026 in Florida, has inspired no shortage of imitations in China.

SpaceX Ship 39 is in the final stages of outfitting in Mega Bay 2 at Starbase. Recent progress includes the installation of aft flaps. This

SpaceX continues to make rapid progress on its Starship program infrastructure, with significant developments at historic Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) on the Space Coast, preparations for a new launch site at Space Launch Complex 37 (SLC-37),

Flight 12 will try to extend that run of success while also breaking in the new "Version 3" of Starship. Among other modifications, this variant is a bit taller than its predecessors and will also be the first to employ SpaceX's new Raptor 3 engine.

SpaceX's mission remains focused on establishing a city on one of Earth's nearest neighboring planets. Musk's Starship will deliver "mankind's ambassador."

SpaceX is making steady progress toward building out the pad at NASA’s Cape Canaveral site in Florida for the first Starship launch from the Space Coast. On Tuesday, SpaceX installed the Ship Quick Disconnect (QD) arm on the launch tower at Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A).

The rocket is about to traverse four miles to the launchpad — at about 1 mph.

Years ago, SpaceX quietly began altering Starship in ways that didn’t match its public vision. Some prototypes appeared incomplete, missing systems that were supposed to be essential. At the time, it wasn’t clear whether these changes were temporary shortcuts or part of a deeper strategy.