SpaceX cancels Starship launch seconds before liftoff: What went wrong
Photo: another launch attempt could take place tomorrow (Getty Images)
On Thursday, SpaceX, owned by Elon Musk, postponed an attempt to launch the Starship V3 rocket. Engineers were unable to resolve several issues that emerged at the last minute before liftoff, according to Bloomberg and CNN.
It had been planned that Starship would carry out its 12th flight from SpaceX’s launch site in South Texas, better known as Starbase. However, at the last moment before launch — which had already been delayed multiple times — SpaceX communications manager Dan Huot announced that the attempt had been postponed.
“We are expecting to be able to make another flight attempt tomorrow, but obviously, stay tuned to our social media,” he added.
What went wrong
Initially, the Starship launch was scheduled for 7:00 p.m. local time (2:00 a.m. Kyiv time). Later, the launch was postponed to 7:30 p.m.
After struggling with bad weather, clear skies finally appeared above the launch pad at the last moment, allowing SpaceX to schedule liftoff near the end of the 90-minute launch window.
However, as the countdown timer approached the one-minute mark, a series of automatic hold systems began interrupting the process.
Dan Huot listed several issues that led to the flight suspension:
- a malfunction with the fuel line attached to Starship;
- a sensor failure on the launch tower;
- and apparently an issue with the water deluge system.
It remains unclear which specific problem — or whether all of them combined — forced the company to cancel the launch. However, another attempt could take place tomorrow at 6:15 p.m. if engineers manage to fix the issues.
In addition, SpaceX may need to replenish fuel and oxidizer supplies in the massive tanks surrounding the launch site in preparation for the next attempt.
“We’re learning a lot about these systems as we execute them for the first time, and we’re not able to basically troubleshoot all of these issues in those final seconds to get to launch,” Huot added.
It should be noted that this mission, the first in several months, would mark the long-awaited debut of the upgraded version of the spacecraft known as Version 3 or V3. Last year, SpaceX encountered several issues with the Starship V2 prototype.
What else is known
The upgraded Starship V3 rocket has become taller and significantly more powerful than its predecessors. In particular, its height now reaches 124 meters, making it the tallest rocket in the world.
SpaceX stated that while developers previously focused only on proving the rocket could launch and return safely, the V3 version marks a new phase — preparation for real deep-space missions.
