SpaceX aborts first public Starship test flight

Neena Mae Rayos, Philippine Canadian Inquirer
July 17, 2026

(Photo Courtesy: SpaceX)

TEXAS – SpaceX abruptly aborted its 13th Starship test flight on Thursday, just as the Super Heavy booster began to ignite.

Elon Musk announced on X, “some of the engines didn’t start, triggering an automatic launch abort.”

He also said the company is targeting another attempt within a few days.

This mission aimed to refine the third-generation Starship design following a mostly successful but glitch-ridden test in May.

Its objectives include deploying 20 Starlink V3 satellites, testing a Raptor engine relight in space, and evaluating heat shield upgrades.

The previous flight demonstrated the new rocket’s capabilities though it suffered from booster engine issues that prevented a precision return, prompting hardware and software modifications to ensure a smooth ascent, stage separation, boostback burn, and offshore landing this time.

Stakes are high for SpaceX, which holds a NASA contract to develop a modified Starship for lunar landings and continues to expand its satellite internet services and ambitions for space-based AI data centers.