SpaceX aborts Starship launch seconds before liftoff after engine issue

Friday 17 July 2026 - 16:16

By: Azzat Manal

SpaceX aborts Starship launch seconds before liftoff after engine issue

SpaceX called off the latest test launch of its Starship rocket just moments before liftoff after a technical issue affected several of the launch vehicle's engines, forcing the automated safety system to halt the countdown.

The launch was scheduled to take place from Starbase, the company's launch facility in southern Texas. Although the rocket's engines briefly ignited, the countdown was automatically aborted less than a second before liftoff when the system detected that not all engines had started correctly.

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk confirmed that the launch was canceled after several engines failed to ignite as expected. He indicated that engineers are reviewing the issue and expressed optimism that another launch attempt could take place within the next few days, pending technical evaluations.

The mission was intended to continue testing the latest version of Starship, the fully reusable launch system that SpaceX is developing for future missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Standing approximately 124 meters tall, Starship is the largest and most powerful rocket ever built and plays a central role in the company's long-term space exploration strategy.

The test follows a previous flight in which the spacecraft achieved several key objectives, including validating upgrades introduced to the vehicle. However, that mission also encountered technical challenges involving the Super Heavy booster, which was unable to complete its planned recovery and ultimately fell into the Gulf of Mexico.

Since then, SpaceX has implemented a series of hardware and software improvements aimed at increasing the reliability of both the booster and the spacecraft. The company follows an iterative development approach, using each test flight to identify issues and improve future performance.

Despite the latest delay, industry analysts note that launch cancellations are common during complex rocket testing programs, where safety and system reliability remain the highest priorities. SpaceX continues to refine Starship as it prepares for future commercial missions and NASA's upcoming Artemis lunar exploration program.