The Globe and Mail reports in its Saturday edition that SpaceX is targeting today for another attempt to launch its Starship rocket after a last-second abort during engine ignition on Thursday.
A Reuters dispatch to The Globe says the company's Starship rocket ignited its engines for a 13th test flight from Texas, but stopped short of lifting off when an automated abort command shut the engines down early. Four of the Starship booster's 33 engines did not ignite.
A launch delay for the $15-billion rocket development program better known for dramatic engineering feats and explosive testing failures is not uncommon (all figures U.S.). Still, SpaceX shares have dropped by roughly 6 per cent to $124.30 since the abort, erasing about $100-billion in equity value.
Mr. Musk wrote on X that the abort was triggered because "some of the engines didn't start." SpaceX on Friday hoisted the Starship upper stage off its Super Heavy booster and plans to replace two of the booster's Raptor engines "to be confident of a good flight," Mr. Musk said, without explaining why some engines didn't start. "Most probable launch timing is early next week," he added. SpaceX's website said Starship could launch "as early as Monday, July 20."
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