SpaceX Scrubs Starship Launch After Engine Failure

SpaceX aborted a test flight of its massive Starship rocket Thursday at its South Texas spaceport.

The launch team aimed to lift off at 5:45 p.m. local time. The countdown proceeded until the Super Heavy booster's engine ignition sequence, when computers triggered an automatic abort.

"Some of the engines didn't start, triggering an automatic launch abort," SpaceX CEO Elon Musk posted on X. "Now offloading propellant. Next launch attempt hopefully in a few days."

Musk later said ground teams will replace two Raptor engines. "Most probable launch timing is early next week."

The Super Heavy booster uses 33 methane-fueled Raptor engines. A graphic during the livestream indicated four engines failed to ignite. This test flight was the second to use the upgraded Raptor 3 engines.