SpaceX Delays Starship Test Flight to Thursday After Technical Glitch

Boca Chica, Texas — SpaceX is set to launch the eighth test flight of its Starship rocket on Thursday, March 6, at 6:30 p.m. EST (2330 GMT). This mission, which is three days later than initially planned, will take place at the company’s Starbase facility in South Texas.

Originally scheduled for Monday, March 3, the launch was postponed due to undisclosed technical issues with the rocket. A subsequent delay was announced on Wednesday, moving the launch to its new date.

Coverage of the Starship Flight 8 launch will be available live on Space.com, with a broadcast beginning approximately 40 minutes prior to liftoff. SpaceX aims to replicate some of the objectives from its previous test flights, including the deployment of four dummy Starlink satellites.

If successful, the Super Heavy booster will attempt to return to Starbase and be caught by the launch tower’s “chopstick” arms approximately seven minutes after launch. SpaceX has emphasized the importance of this test in gathering data for future missions.

The Starship launch system, recognized as the largest and most powerful ever built, stands at 403 feet tall (123 meters). It is designed for deep-space missions, potentially aiding in humanity’s exploration of the moon and Mars. NASA has chosen Starship as the first crewed lunar lander under its Artemis program.

During the previous test, Starship Flight 7, the upper stage experienced a propellant leak before it could deploy its payload. A successful test flight this time around aims to recover from that setback.

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has expressed optimism about the improvements made since the last flight, including enhancements to Starship’s propulsion for better performance during reentry.

The upcoming launch will also feature a controlled splashdown of the upper stage in the Indian Ocean, approximately 66 minutes post-liftoff.

“The upcoming flight will target objectives not reached on the previous test, including Starship’s first payload deployment and multiple reentry experiments geared towards returning the upper stage for catch,” SpaceX stated. The company is hopeful the modifications made will lead to a successful launch and landing.

Fans and observers looking to watch the event in person are advised to check local viewing areas around Boca Chica Beach. The public beach, along with areas near South Padre Island, offers space for observers but attendees should prepare for heavy traffic.

SpaceX has designated several backup launch days, indicating potential opportunities for future attempts if necessary. According to local authorities, road closures around the launch site will remain in effect during the launch windows.

This eighth test flight is critical for SpaceX as it continues to refine its Starship technology, with broader implications for future missions involving crewed space exploration.