SpaceX scrubs Starship launch due to engine startup issue

SpaceX called off a test launch of its Starship rocket and Super Heavy booster on Thursday, aborting the attempt at the company's Starbase facility in South Texas. The launch was halted just as the Super Heavy booster's engines were scheduled to ignite.

The integrated rocket system, standing over 400 feet tall, was fueled with more than 11.5 million pounds of liquid methane and liquid oxygen. The countdown proceeded to its final moments before the automated system triggered an abort during the engine start sequence.

Engineers began preparations to drain the massive rocket of its propellants following the scrub. SpaceX has not yet announced when it plans to reschedule the launch attempt. Starship is being developed for deep space missions, including trips to the Moon and Mars.

This was the second attempt to launch the fully stacked Starship. A previous flight on April 18 also encountered issues, with the rocket being destroyed shortly after liftoff due to propulsion problems with the Super Heavy booster.