An upgraded version of the world's most powerful rocket is key to landing NASA astronauts on the moon in the agency's Artemis program.

SpaceX SPCX -3.08% launched its huge rocket on another test flight Friday, the first since the Elon Musk -led company’s history-making initial public offering.

SpaceX engineers flew drones over the vehicle to inspect its heat shield, getting their best look yet at how more than 18,000 ceramic tiles insulating the ship’s stainless steel airframe weathered the...