SpaceX scrubbed the first launch of its third-generation Starship rocket from Starbase, Texas on Thursday, 40 seconds before liftoff. A hydraulic pin holding the launch tower arm refused to move, forcing the abort after the fully fueled mega-rocket had cycled through multiple countdown attempts.
Musk announced the delay on X, saying the team would try again Friday at 5:30 p.m. local time if the pin issue could be resolved overnight.
This is Starship's 12th test flight. SpaceX has not launched since October 2025. The V3 upgrade includes new third-generation Raptor engines, a streamlined design, and reliability improvements. The timing matters: SpaceX has filed for an IPO and is expected to go public within weeks. A successful launch would demonstrate progress on the next-generation rocket program.
During development, the V3 variant experienced setbacks. One booster exploded during testing in November. SpaceX has worked to address propellant leaks that affected earlier test flights. This mission will not attempt to recover the booster or upper stage; both are scheduled for soft landings in the water—the booster in the Atlantic, the Starship in the Indian Ocean. Full orbital capability remains a mission or two away.
Friday's retry will draw close attention from the space community.
