SpaceX's second launch attempt of the upgraded Starship V3 was aborted after ignition failures. CEO Elon Musk announced engine replacements are necessary.
Washington DC, United States Jul 17, 2026 ALN: SpaceX abruptly aborted the second attempted launch of its upgraded Starship rocket system on Thursday, just moments after the booster ignited at the company’s complex in South Texas.
CEO Elon Musk stated on his social media platform X that “[s]ome of the engines didn’t start, triggering an automatic launch abort” and that the company will replace two of them. SpaceX won’t attempt to launch Starship again until next week, he wrote.
SpaceX was hoping to launch its first third-generation Starlink satellites into space — although they are supposed to burn up around 20 minutes after deployment, as Starship has not yet demonstrated the ability to reach Earth orbit.
This is also SpaceX’s first Starship test launch attempt since it went public on June 12 in the largest IPO in history. The company raised more than $85 billion in the transaction and briefly touched the valuations of Amazon and Microsoft, though its stock has steadily fallen over the intervening month.
On Thursday, SpaceX’s stock price closed below its IPO price of $135. Its stock sank more than 4% in after-hours trading after the aborted launch.
SpaceX was trying to return to flight just a few weeks after the first-ever launch of Starship V3 in May. That mission was a mixed bag.
Getting off the launchpad with the first version of a newly upgraded rocket was a big step forward, and the company was able to deploy a number of Starlink simulators into space. However, the Super Heavy booster stage suffered a failure before it could attempt a simulated landing in the Gulf of Mexico, leading to an FAA-ordered review of what went wrong. The FAA cleared the company to fly Starship again earlier this week after identifying a number of causes and fixes for the booster failure.
Starship’s upper stage also lost an engine on its way to deploying the Starlink simulators during the May mission. The upper stage was able to perform its own simulated landing over the water without a hitch.
SpaceX was hoping to take another step forward Thursday by launching the V3 Starlink satellites. The upgraded Starship and Starlink are key to SpaceX’s incredibly ambitious plans to prove that the concept of “orbital data centers” is both technologically and economically viable. Starlink is also the largest revenue generator and the only profitable portion of SpaceX’s business.
Thursday’s launch attempt looked to be progressing smoothly, with only a brief hold in the countdown at T-minus one minute before the scheduled launch attempt. That hold cleared quickly, and the countdown resumed.
As the countdown expired, the launchpad’s water deluge system fired up, and the booster stage visibly began firing its engines — only for everything to suddenly shut down. Graphics on SpaceX’s broadcast appeared to show that four of the company’s new Raptor engines did not fire upon ignition.
SpaceX now has to take all the propellant out of both the Super Heavy booster and the upper stage, before determining exactly what went wrong on Thursday.
The Starship program has been a focal point of SpaceX's ambitions to revolutionize space travel and exploration. Designed to be a fully reusable spacecraft, Starship aims to carry both crew and cargo to a variety of destinations, including the Moon and Mars. The vehicle is intended to play a crucial role in NASA's Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon and establish a sustainable human presence there by the end of the decade.
The Starship system consists of two main components: the Super Heavy booster, which is designed to propel the spacecraft through the Earth's atmosphere, and the Starship spacecraft itself, which is intended for deep space travel. The development of the Starship system has been marked by rapid iterations and numerous test flights, each aimed at refining the design and ensuring safety for future missions.
The recent IPO marked a significant milestone for SpaceX, as it not only raised substantial capital but also positioned the company as a key player in the commercial space industry. The funds raised through the IPO are expected to support ongoing development of the Starship program, as well as other initiatives within the company, including the expansion of the Starlink satellite constellation.
Starlink, SpaceX's satellite internet constellation, has garnered significant attention and investment due to its potential to provide high-speed internet access to underserved and remote areas around the globe. The introduction of third-generation Starlink satellites is expected to enhance the network's capabilities, offering improved performance and coverage. The success of Starlink is critical not only for SpaceX's revenue but also for its long-term vision of creating a sustainable and interconnected global economy.
The aborted launch on Thursday underscores the challenges that SpaceX faces as it continues to push the boundaries of rocket technology. While the company has achieved numerous milestones, the complexities of developing a fully reusable rocket system are significant. Engine failures, such as those experienced during the latest launch attempt, highlight the need for rigorous testing and validation before the Starship can become operational for commercial missions.
In the aftermath of the launch abort, SpaceX engineers will conduct a thorough investigation to analyze the data collected during the launch attempt. This investigation will involve reviewing telemetry data, examining engine performance, and conducting inspections of the hardware involved. The goal will be to identify the root cause of the engine failures and implement corrective measures to ensure that future launches proceed smoothly.
Looking ahead, SpaceX's plans for the Starship program remain ambitious. The company has outlined a roadmap that includes a series of test flights leading up to crewed missions and interplanetary travel. Each successful test flight is expected to provide valuable data that will inform design improvements and operational procedures.
As the space industry continues to evolve, SpaceX's ability to navigate challenges and innovate will be crucial in maintaining its leadership position. The company's commitment to rapid iteration and its willingness to embrace failure as a learning opportunity are central to its approach. While the recent launch abort may be a setback, it also serves as a reminder of the complexities of aerospace engineering and the importance of safety in space exploration.
In conclusion, the aborted launch of Starship V3 is a significant moment for SpaceX as it continues to refine its technology and work towards its ambitious goals. The company remains focused on overcoming the challenges it faces and advancing its vision of a future where space travel is accessible and sustainable. As SpaceX prepares for its next launch attempt, the global space community will be watching closely, eager to see how the company addresses the issues encountered during the most recent mission.
This story has been updated with new information from Elon Musk.
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