On Monday, April 17, 2023, SpaceX postponed the launch of its fully integrated Starship rocket just minutes before liftoff, disappointing the almost million fans who were eagerly watching the live webcast.
The reason for the postponement was a frozen valve on the rocket’s first stage, Super Heavy, which caused a pressurization issue that prevented the rocket from being ready for launch. Despite this setback, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk announced on Twitter that the company had learned a lot from the attempt and would try again in a few days.
Starship is SpaceX’s most ambitious project to date, featuring a reusable second stage that can carry up to 100 passengers or 100 tons of cargo to low Earth orbit and beyond. The second stage is also designed to land vertically on any surface using its six Raptor engines and four flaps.
Meanwhile, the first stage, Super Heavy, is also reusable and is capable of lifting Starship to orbit with its 29 Raptor engines. The first stage is expected to return to Earth and land on a platform near the launch site, similar to how SpaceX recovers its Falcon 9 boosters.
The launch attempt was a test flight of Starship and Super Heavy as a fully integrated system. The plan was to launch Starship to an altitude of about 70 miles (112 kilometers) and then perform a belly flop maneuver to reorient itself for landing. The landing site was about 12 miles (20 kilometers) away from the launch site.
SpaceX is hoping to fix the valve issue and launch Starship within this week, weather permitting. The launch window is open until April 20th, 2023. While the company has not announced a specific date or time for the next attempt, it will likely provide updates on its website and social media channels. Fans can watch the launch live on SpaceX’s YouTube channel or on various webcasts hosted by space enthusiasts. The launch will also be visible from South Padre Island and other nearby locations in Texas.
Overall, the Starship launch attempt is one of the most anticipated events in the space industry this year. If successful, it could pave the way for more ambitious missions and destinations in the future.
