SpaceX launched the fully upgraded Starship V3 rocket for the first time on Thursday from its Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas. The vehicle, standing nearly 120 meters tall, is the most powerful rocket ever built, generating over 75 meganewtons of thrust at liftoff. The launch marked a major milestone in the company's development of a fully reusable super-heavy lift launch system.

The Starship V3 features significant design changes compared to its predecessors. The upper stage has been stretched to increase propellant capacity, and the heat shield tiles have been redesigned for better thermal protection during reentry. The Super Heavy booster, equipped with 33 Raptor 3 engines, incorporates improved engine shielding and a new thrust vector control system.

During ascent, the rocket experienced the loss of three Raptor engines on the booster, but the remaining engines compensated and the vehicle continued on its trajectory. The booster successfully separated and performed a controlled descent, though it was lost during the landing burn. The upper stage reached orbital velocity and completed a full orbit before beginning its reentry sequence.

SpaceX engineers collected extensive data from the flight, particularly on the performance of the new heat shield tiles and the upgraded avionics systems. The company stated that the test provided valuable information for refining the vehicle's design, especially regarding engine reliability and thermal protection. The data will be used to inform the next flight, which could occur within weeks.

The Starship V3 is central to NASA's Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon. SpaceX was awarded a contract to develop a lunar landing variant of Starship, and this test flight demonstrated key capabilities needed for that mission. The rocket's massive payload capacity — over 100 metric tons to low Earth orbit — makes it suitable for carrying large amounts of cargo and crew to the Moon and Mars.

SpaceX founder Elon Musk said the company plans to increase the production rate of Starship vehicles to support a rapid test campaign. The next flight is expected to include an attempt to catch the Super Heavy booster with the launch tower's mechanical arms, a maneuver that would enable rapid reuse. The company also aims to demonstrate in-space refueling on a future mission, a critical capability for deep-space travel.

The launch was originally scheduled for Wednesday but was delayed due to weather conditions. The Federal Aviation Administration approved the flight after reviewing SpaceX's safety analysis. The vehicle carried no crew or payload on this test, but future missions will deploy Starlink satellites and other commercial payloads.

SpaceX confirmed that the Starship V3 upper stage splashed down in the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii after completing its reentry and landing burn. The company described the flight as "highly successful" and said it achieved 90% of its primary objectives. The next Starship V3 launch is expected within the next two months, pending regulatory approval and vehicle readiness.

Turkey unveiled its intercontinental ballistic missile YILDIRIMHAN at the SAHA 2026 defense exhibition. The missile boasts a range of 6,000 kilometers and can reach speeds of Mach 25. It is equipped with four rocket motors, representing a significant advancement in the nation's defense capabilities.

The YILDIRIMHAN missile is designed for long-range precision strikes. Its Mach 25 speed makes it one of the fastest missiles in its class. The four rocket motors provide the necessary thrust to achieve intercontinental distances.

This development positions Turkey among a select group of countries with intercontinental ballistic missile technology. The missile's range allows it to target locations across continents, enhancing Turkey's strategic deterrence.

The SAHA 2026 event served as the platform for the missile's public debut. Defense industry officials highlighted the missile's potential to strengthen national security. The YILDIRIMHAN project reflects Turkey's growing self-sufficiency in advanced weaponry.

Technical details about the missile's guidance system and payload capacity were not disclosed. However, experts note that the speed and range specifications align with modern ICBM standards. The missile is expected to undergo further testing before operational deployment.

Turkey's defense industry has been expanding its missile capabilities in recent years. The YILDIRIMHAN joins a family of indigenous missiles, including short-range and medium-range systems. This missile fills a gap in long-range strike options for the Turkish military.

The YILDIRIMHAN missile was introduced at the SAHA 2026 exhibition held in Istanbul. The event showcased various defense technologies from Turkish companies. The missile's unveiling drew attention from international defense observers.

Production timelines and potential export customers have not been announced. The missile is primarily intended for use by the Turkish Armed Forces. Its development is part of a broader effort to reduce reliance on foreign defense systems.

Snap has confirmed the launch timeline for its next-generation Spectacles augmented reality glasses. The company announced that the AR glasses will be released in the fall of this year. The new Spectacles are expected to arrive before competing devices based on Android XR, Google's new operating system for extended reality headsets.

The upcoming Spectacles will feature a significantly higher price point compared to previous models. According to sources familiar with the matter, the AR glasses are expected to cost approximately $1,000. This positions the device as a premium product aimed at developers and early adopters rather than mainstream consumers.

The new Spectacles are designed to overlay digital content onto the real world through transparent lenses. The device will include built-in cameras, speakers, and gesture control capabilities. Snap has been developing the technology for several years, with earlier versions of Spectacles focused on recording video.

Snap's AR glasses will compete with devices from Meta, Apple, and other tech giants entering the mixed reality space. The company has positioned its Spectacles as a more lightweight and socially acceptable form factor compared to bulky headsets. Snap has been working with developers to create AR experiences for the platform.

The launch timing puts Snap ahead of several Android XR devices expected in 2025. Google announced Android XR in partnership with Samsung and Qualcomm, with the first headsets slated for release next year. Snap's early entry could give it an advantage in building an AR ecosystem.

Snap has not disclosed the exact release date or final pricing for the new Spectacles. The company typically unveils new hardware at its annual Snap Partner Summit in the spring, with products shipping later in the year. The fall launch window suggests a release between September and November.

The high price tag reflects the advanced technology packed into the compact form factor. Snap has invested heavily in custom optics, waveguides, and microLED displays to create a compelling AR experience. The company aims to make the device comfortable enough for all-day wear.

Snap CEO Evan Spiegel has described AR glasses as the next major computing platform. The company generates revenue primarily from advertising on its Snapchat app but sees hardware as a long-term growth opportunity. The new Spectacles represent Snap's most ambitious hardware effort to date.

Developers interested in creating AR experiences for Spectacles can apply for early access through Snap's developer program. The company plans to sell the glasses directly to consumers through its website and select retail partners. Snap will provide more details about the device's specifications and capabilities closer to the launch date.

Researchers have achieved a milestone in developmental biology by hatching chicks from artificial eggshells. The synthetic shells were created using a porous material that mimics the natural eggshell's structure, allowing gas exchange while providing mechanical support. The team incubated the eggs under controlled conditions and observed normal embryonic development, culminating in the successful hatching of healthy chicks. This innovation could have implications for poultry farming, conservation of endangered bird species, and fundamental studies of avian embryology.

In space science, a new mission has been announced to investigate Earth's magnetosphere. The project, named the Magnetosphere Explorer, will deploy a constellation of small satellites to measure magnetic field variations and plasma interactions. The data collected will help scientists predict space weather events that can disrupt satellites, power grids, and communication systems. The mission is scheduled to launch in 2026 and will operate for at least two years.

Another study published this week reveals that certain bacteria can survive in extreme environments by forming protective biofilms. Researchers found that microbes in volcanic hot springs produce a thick matrix of proteins and sugars that shields them from high temperatures and acidic conditions. Understanding these mechanisms could lead to applications in industrial biotechnology and astrobiology.

In the field of archaeology, a team discovered a 4,000-year-old settlement in the Amazon rainforest using LiDAR technology. The site features geometric earthworks and evidence of advanced agricultural practices, challenging previous assumptions about pre-Columbian societies in the region. The findings suggest that the Amazon was more densely populated than previously thought.

A breakthrough in quantum computing was reported by physicists who achieved a new record for qubit coherence time. By isolating qubits from environmental noise using a novel material, they extended coherence to over 10 milliseconds, a tenfold improvement over previous records. This advancement brings practical quantum computers closer to reality.

Finally, a new species of deep-sea fish was identified in the Mariana Trench. The fish, named Pseudoliparis swirei, thrives at depths exceeding 8,000 meters, making it one of the deepest-living vertebrates known. Its unique adaptations include a gelatinous body and specialized enzymes that function under extreme pressure.