SpaceX Scrubs Starship Test Flight Due to Ground Systems Issue
SpaceX’s 403-foot Starship rocket was set to launch on Sunday evening from its Starbase facility in South Texas, marking its most ambitious test yet after a string of setbacks. However, the tenth test flight was canceled after an issue with the ground systems forced a postponement.
“Standing down from today’s tenth flight of Starship to allow time to troubleshoot an issue with ground systems,” the company said on X, offering no additional details. This follows a series of previous failures, including three devastating explosions in 2025 alone, highlighting the ongoing challenges of developing the most powerful rocket ever built.
Engineers were preparing for a series of high-risk maneuvers designed to prove Starship’s reusability, a critical step in Elon Musk’s long-term plan to reach the Moon and eventually conquer Mars. The goals for Sunday’s test included deploying Starlink satellite simulators, attempting a landing burn with a backup engine, and guiding the Super Heavy booster into a controlled splashdown in the Gulf of America.
SpaceX also aimed to make its first attempt at returning the Starship upper stage to the launch site. In the past, Musk has acknowledged that repeated setbacks are part of SpaceX’s rapid test-and-fail approach, emphasizing the importance of learning from each failure to achieve long-term success.
The Tesla founder first teased the Sunday test flight on Thursday, posting a photo of the gleaming spacecraft on X with the message: “Getting ready to launch Starship.” Despite the setback, the test remains a milestone for SpaceX, which has said it is essential for its Artemis moon lander contract with NASA and Musk’s ultimate goal of colonizing Mars.