WASHINGTON, Apr 17 Starship's first test flight has been canceled for technical reasons, SpaceX announced on Twitter.
«
«This will be a dress rehearsal, <…> but we won't be launching today,» a company spokeswoman said during the broadcast.
The Starship was scheduled to leave the Texas launch site, reach Earth orbit, and then fall into the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii. The first stage of the Super Heavy launch vehicle was supposed to splash down in the Gulf of Mexico shortly after launch. In the future, according to the creators, the design will become reusable.
Shortly before the launch, SpaceX owner Elon Musk said that one of the engine pressure valves was not working and this could cause the launch to be canceled, which happened in a few minutes before launch.
Musk has made it clear that his biggest concern is to avoid an explosion on the launch pad, as it could take months to prepare for a relaunch.
At least seven different Starship tests have already ended with a ship or booster explosion.