Home / Science / Starship Aborts Launch: Engine Woes Ground Rocket
Starship Aborts Launch: Engine Woes Ground Rocket
17 Jul
Summary
- Starship's 13th flight test was aborted due to multiple engine failures.
- SpaceX will replace two engines on the booster before the next launch attempt.
- The next launch attempt could occur as early as next week.
SpaceX's Starship rocket experienced an automatic abort of its 13th flight test on July 16, 2026, just as liftoff was imminent. The scrub occurred due to multiple engines failing to ignite on the Super Heavy booster. This incident has delayed further development for a crucial 2027 NASA moon mission.
CEO Elon Musk announced that two of the 33 Raptor-class engines on the Super Heavy booster will be replaced. While no new launch date has been set, Musk indicated a potential attempt early next week. SpaceX is working to finalize Starship's readiness for its role in NASA's Artemis program.
The Starship program, which began testing in April 2023, aims to create a fully reusable transportation system for satellites and future human missions. The fully stacked Starship, standing 407 feet tall, is the largest and most powerful rocket ever launched by SpaceX.
The next test flight objectives include pushing the Super Heavy booster's performance before its planned landing in the Gulf of Mexico. The upper stage will also undergo testing during its flight halfway around the world, with a planned landing in the Indian Ocean. This mission will also carry 20 Starlink satellites for deployment.
