SpaceX launch cancelled: Why didn’t Elon Musk’s Starship blast off?

The maiden flight of SpaceX’s huge Starship rocket was cancelled minutes earlier than a deliberate launch on 17 April. Right here’s what occurs subsequent:

Why didn’t Starship launch as deliberate?

Whereas many of the countdown went easily, an important valve within the spacecraft froze over about quarter-hour earlier than the deliberate launch. This prevented the primary stage of the craft from pressurising correctly, which might have made a launch harmful if SpaceX officers had determined to undergo with the try. The countdown continued whereas Starship was loaded up with gasoline for what known as a “moist gown rehearsal”, being stopped 10 seconds earlier than zero, so the try wasn’t a complete loss, however the pressurisation difficulty must be solved earlier than one other try might be made.

When will the subsequent launch try occur?

The date for the subsequent launch try hasn’t been launched but, however it’s going to take at the least two days to empty the gasoline, repair the defective valve and get Starship able to fly once more. Because it stands, 19 April is the subsequent potential launch date.

What’s Starship?

The most important and strongest rocket system ever constructed. SpaceX says it’s going to ultimately ferry astronauts to the moon and Mars. It’s 120 metres tall and as soon as in operation will probably be absolutely reusable and capable of transport as much as 100 passengers.

Has Starship launched earlier than?

The rocket has had a protracted, tough historical past of improvement, reminiscent of scrubbed launches and failed landings. One in 2020 noticed a smaller, prototype Starship engulfed in flames. The aborted launch try on 17 April was the primary check of each rocket levels collectively.