SpaceX’s highly anticipated launch of the Starship orbital test flight was postponed due to a frozen pressurant valve issue. Instead, the company conducted a “wet dress rehearsal” that involved testing the engines of the Starship. The launch was originally scheduled for 9:20 AM ET on Monday from Boca Chica, Texas. The company will now have to wait at least 48 hours before attempting another launch.
The Starship is a next-generation rocket that is designed to be reusable and is intended to take crews from an orbiting Gateway station to the lunar surface for NASA’s upcoming Artemis Moon landings. The current test flight, which involves a fully integrated Starship system with a Super Heavy booster, is crucial for both SpaceX’s long-term plans, including lunar tourism, and NASA’s exploration plans.
Despite the delay, the livestream of the launch was available on the company’s YouTube channel. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk warned fans to “set your expectations low” during a Twitter Spaces chat on Sunday, acknowledging that there is no guarantee of success during this test flight. However, the data collected from this test will be used to improve future Starship flights.
The combined height of the Starship and the booster is 394 feet, making it taller than the Saturn V rocket. During the test, both vehicles will splash into the sea. Backup launch windows are available on Tuesday and Wednesday, which SpaceX will utilize to attempt another launch.
