SpaceX called off Sunday’s launch of its 10th Starship rocket in Texas after a ground systems glitch forced the company to halt countdown plans, CNN reported. Issuing a statement on X, the company stated, “standing down from today’s tenth flight of Starship to allow time to troubleshoot an issue with ground systems.”
Soon after that, founder and CEO Elon Musk later clarified that the cause was a liquid oxygen on the ground side, forcing the postponement. Musk stated on X, “ground side liquid oxygen leak needs to be fixed. Aiming for another launch attempt tomorrow.”
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) filings show that SpaceX could attempt another launch as early as Monday or Tuesday evening, with liftoff windows beginning shortly after 7 p.m. ET on both days. But a launch attempt could still be uncertain. In the past, SpaceX has typically needed a two-day turnaround before retrying, especially if fueling had already started when the countdown was halted.
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So far, the stainless-steel Starship has not completed a mission without mishap. Designed as a fully reusable spacecraft, it is being built to eventually transport as many as 100 people on long-haul journeys into space.
The 10th test flight of Starship was supposed to launch from SpaceX’s Starbase facility in Texas’ Rio Grande Valley. Now, the scrubbed launch marks yet another hurdle for Musk’s company, which has faced repeated delays, failed test flights, and explosive outcomes in its bid to perfect the Starship program.
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Starship’s test campaign has been marked by turbulence. The vehicle is undergoing a series of trial runs aimed at preparing it for satellite deployments and, eventually, crewed missions. But setbacks have been frequenting as earlier two flights this year ended in explosions within minutes, a third lost control before releasing mock satellites, and a separate booster went up in flames during a June fueling test. The repeated setbacks have fueled doubts over whether Starship can actually achieve Musk’s long-term vision of transporting people to the moon and, ultimately, Mars.
Standing taller than the Statue of Liberty, this stainless-steel giant is designed to be fully reusable, a breakthrough that could dramatically cut the cost of space travel. Earlier it was reported that SpaceX is exploring a new funding round, including the sale of shares to private investors with a target valuation near $400 billion. This would represent a substantial increase from the $350 billion valuation in December 2024 and almost double the $210 billion it was worth in mid-2023.