SpaceX launch delay: Starship SN9 suffers three static fire test aborts in a row

SpaceX conduct static fire engine test on Starship SN9

The launch of SpaceX’s Starship SN9 on a 6.2 miles (10km) hop is looking increasingly uncertain this week. After multiple delays and reported hardware problems in the last two week, Serial Number 9 (SN9) appears no closer to blasting off from the launchpad at Boca Chica, South Texas. Restless SpaceX fans were treated to a triple static fire test on January 13, indicating a full-fledged launch was just around the corner.

But disaster struck just two days later when SpaceX chief Elon Musk, 49, announced on Twitter two of the rocket’s engines needed repairs.

The hiccup forced SpaceX to reschedule and fans were hoping SN9 could still fly this week.

Road closures were issued around Boca Chica for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday – a telltale sign of more static fire tests on the launchpad.

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has also issued flight restrictions around Boca Chica Beach between Wednesday, January 20, and Sunday, January 24.

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SpaceX has now hit another speedbump after three static fire tests attempted on Wednesday were aborted.

The tethered Starship first attempted to ignite its Raptor engines at 2pm local time, before wrapping up an hour later.

After a quick turnaround, a second test was attempted and aborted around 3.40pm.

A final attempt at a wet rehearsal was made two hours later only to be aborted just before engine ignition.

Live video footage of the Boca Chica launchpad shows gasses venting from the decompressing Starship – a clear sign of an abort.

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One frustrated SpaceX fan tweeted: “Third abort of the day… Starship SN9 hasn’t cooperated at all during this test campaign.”

Another person said: “Happy Starship SN9 Abort day! Today at SpaceX it’s all about testing how many times you can abort in one day to shows SLS how it’s done.”

A third person said: “When SN9? I wake up every morning only for two things. Starship and BTC price.”

The next test window opens on Thursday, January 21, and closes by 5pm local time (11pm GMT).

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A backup is then open on Friday from 7am to 12pm local time (1pm to 6pm GMT).

And this is not the first time the Starship SN9 has caused trouble for Mr Musk’s firm.

In December last year, the rocket was seen tipped over inside of SpaceX’s hangar at Boca Chica.

The Starship prototype suffered some minor damage was patched up with fins from the Serial Number 10 (SN10) model.

The rocket is due to launch on its first suborbital flight after the explosive launch of the SN8 last month.

SN8 was launched to a height of 7.8 miles (12.5km) after which it plummetted to the ground belly-side down.

The rocket attempted a soft pad landing before it reached the ground but ended up being blown to smithereens.

Despite the spectacular fireball, SpaceX considered the launch a resounding success.

SpaceX is developing Starship as a multi-planetary vehicle capable of reaching the Moon, Mars and possibly beyond.

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