SpaceX Aborts Starship Launch Seconds Before Liftoff
SpaceX aborted the launch of its Starship V3 rocket from Texas seconds before liftoff on Thursday. The company said it could attempt another launch as early as Friday local time.
The unmanned Starship V3 includes dozens of technical upgrades intended to support faster deployment of Starlink satellites and future NASA missions to the Moon. SpaceX has invested more than $15bn in developing the system.
The launch was halted because of problems with the launch tower system. Elon Musk said a hydraulic mechanism on one of the tower’s arms was malfunctioning. If repairs are completed in time, another launch attempt could take place on Friday evening.
The success of Starship is considered important for investors as SpaceX reportedly prepares for what could become one of the largest stock market listings in history, with an estimated valuation of up to $1.75tn.
SpaceX has continued to follow a strategy of frequent test launches, accepting potential failures in order to make rapid technological adjustments and improvements.