SpaceX Postpones Starship's 13th Test Flight Again Due to Weather
Quick Look
SpaceX has again postponed the 13th test launch of its Starship spacecraft to July 24 due to weather, following an earlier delay from July 16 caused by an engine failure that triggered an automatic launch abort.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
SpaceX's Starship program aims to develop a versatile space system for manned flights, satellite launches, and missions to the Moon and Mars, with reusable booster and spacecraft components.
NEW YORK, July 24. /TASS/. US company SpaceX has once again postponed the 13th test launch of its Starship spacecraft.
"Now targeting Friday, July 24 for Starship’s thirteenth flight test, due to weather," the company said in a statement, posted on the X social network.
The launch was initially slated for July 16, but was aborted at the last moment. US entrepreneur Elon Musk attributed the cancellation to an engine failure. In his words, some of the engines did not start, triggering an automatic launch abort. The launch was postponed until July 23.
The previous test launch took place in May, when SpaceX launched Starship S39, the premier prototype of the company’s third-generation (V3) spacecraft. However, it exploded after splashdown. SpaceX experts said its specialists had updated its software, fixing problems identified during the 12th launch.
According to the developer’s plans, the Starship space system will be versatile and capable of being used in various versions for manned flights to low-Earth orbit, satellite launches, and missions to the Moon and Mars, as well as to more distant celestial bodies. The reusable Super Heavy booster and Starship are designed to land vertically.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
SpaceX will attempt the 13th Starship flight test on Friday, July 24.
Likely · Within days
Open Questions
- What caused the engine failure during the initial July 16 attempt?
- Will the launch proceed on the newly targeted July 24 date?
