Mission Aborted! SpaceX Calls Off Starship Launch Seconds Before Liftoff- What Went Wrong?

Elon Musk’s SpaceX had to abort the highly anticipated eighth test flight of Starship just moments before liftoff on Monday (3^rd March). The launch, set to take place at 6:45 PM (23:45 GMT) from Starbase, Texas, was called off due to an unspecified technical issue. While SpaceX has not confirmed a new launch date, company engineer Dan Hout suggested a retry could happen within 24 hours if the problem is resolved quickly.

This postponement follows Starship’s previous test in January, which, despite some improvements, failed. The upper-stage spacecraft suffered a propellant leak caused by expected vibrations, leading to a fire that forced the engines to shut down. In response, SpaceX redesigned fuel lines, improved thermal controls, and enhanced venting systems to prevent similar issues.

Aside from technical hurdles, SpaceX also faces regulatory challenges. The FAA had grounded Starship pending a safety review, only recently granting a license for this latest test. Musk has often criticized regulatory delays, but political tensions have further complicated matters.

This flight was set to test new features, including a satellite deployment system and an improved re-entry technique. If the issue is quickly resolved, SpaceX could attempt another launch soon, inching closer to its goal of interplanetary travel.