SpaceX Delays 13th Starship Test Flight Seconds Before Launch Due to Engine Failure

SpaceX delayed its 13th Starship test flight seconds before launch on the 16th (local time) at Starbase, Texas, after some of the rocket's 33 main engines failed to ignite properly. The test cancellation occurred because several engines did not achieve normal ignition during the countdown sequence. This marked the first Starship flight attempt since SpaceX's initial public offering last month, drawing significant investor attention before the 3% after-hours stock decline following the delay announcement.

SpaceX CEO Announces Engine Replacement Plan

Elon Musk, SpaceX CEO, stated via X (formerly Twitter) that "two engines will be replaced for a successful flight" and indicated "the most likely launch timing is early next week." The launch halt occurred with only seconds remaining before the scheduled liftoff time when the ignition system detected that some of Starship's 33 primary engines failed to fire normally.

Starship Development Costs Reach $150 Billion

Starship stands 124 meters tall and represents a next-generation super-heavy launch vehicle capable of carrying more cargo and satellites than SpaceX's existing Falcon 9 rocket. SpaceX has invested $150 billion (approximately 22.2 trillion KRW) in Starship development to date. The company has also secured a contract with NASA to utilize Starship for lunar exploration missions.

Previous Test Flights Encountered Repeated Technical Issues

The 12 test flights conducted prior to this attempt experienced various technical defects. During the most recent test on May 22, one of six next-generation V3 model body engines failed to ignite. The booster engines also failed to ignite sufficiently, resulting in unsuccessful controlled landing.

SpaceX Stock Drops 3% in After-Hours Trading

This test flight attracted market attention as the first launch attempt following SpaceX's large-scale IPO last month. After news of the launch delay spread, SpaceX stock declined 3% in after-hours trading.

FAQ

Why did SpaceX delay the 13th Starship test flight? SpaceX delayed the test flight because some of Starship's 33 main engines failed to ignite properly during the countdown sequence seconds before the scheduled launch time on the 16th (local time).

How much has SpaceX invested in Starship development? SpaceX has invested $150 billion (approximately 22.2 trillion KRW) in Starship development. The 124-meter-tall vehicle is designed to carry more cargo and satellites than the existing Falcon 9 rocket and is contracted with NASA for lunar exploration missions.

What happened to SpaceX stock after the launch delay? SpaceX stock dropped 3% in after-hours trading following the announcement of the test flight delay. This was the first Starship launch attempt since the company's IPO last month, making it a closely watched event for investors.