SpaceX has delayed the anticipated launch of its Starship rocket due to an engine malfunction that occurred just moments before liftoff. The mission, initially set to take off from SpaceX’s Starbase facility in Texas, was called off when multiple engines failed to ignite, triggering the spacecraft’s automatic abort system. This led to the company beginning the process of offloading fuel from the rocket.
The aerospace company, led by Elon Musk, aims to attempt another launch in the coming days as engineers work to diagnose the issue. Starship plays a pivotal role in Musk’s broader vision to expand the Starlink satellite network, build space infrastructure, and ultimately enable human travel to the Moon and Mars.
This mission was to be a significant test for the rocket following SpaceX’s recent public market debut. The delay impacted the company’s stock, which dropped over 6 percent in early trading after the postponement was announced.
SpaceX has invested upwards of $15 billion into Starship’s development, with the goal of making it a fully reusable spacecraft. The company is also engaged in NASA contracts that envision using Starship for future lunar missions. However, several technical hurdles remain before it can safely carry astronauts.