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SpaceX Starship Launch Aborted at Last Second Due to Engine Issues
🇬🇷 Greece /Technology

SpaceX Starship Launch Aborted at Last Second Due to Engine Issues

From Ta Nea · () Greek

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Ongoing story
  • SpaceX aborted the 13th test flight of its Starship rocket seconds before scheduled liftoff from Texas.
  • The abort occurred because some of the 33 Raptor engines failed to ignite as planned, triggering an automatic shutdown.
  • The company plans to replace two engines and attempt another launch early next week, while its stock saw a slight dip.

SpaceX aborted the 13th test flight of its Starship rocket just moments before its scheduled liftoff from Texas on Thursday. The launch was halted less than a second before the planned ignition as some of the rocket's 33 Raptor engines failed to start.

We activated a booster abort that took our ascent off the pad as we were lighting up the Raptor engines.

— Dan HuotSpaceX representative explaining the launch abort during the live broadcast.

"We activated a booster abort that took our ascent off the pad as we were lighting up the Raptor engines," said company representative Dan Huot during SpaceX's live broadcast. Elon Musk, the company's CEO, confirmed on X that "some of the engines didn’t start, triggering an automatic launch abort." He added that two Raptor engines would be removed and replaced to ensure a successful flight.

some of the engines didn’t start, triggering an automatic launch abort.

— Elon MuskSpaceX CEO commenting on the reason for the launch cancellation via X.

The next launch attempt is anticipated for early next week. The news had an immediate impact on SpaceX's stock, which fell approximately 3% in after-hours trading following the cancellation. The stock closed at $131.11, below its initial public offering price of $135 for the first time since its market debut last month.

For us to be sure for a successful flight, 2 Raptor engines will be removed and replaced.

— Elon MuskSpaceX CEO stating the planned corrective action after the launch abort.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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