In a recent setback for SpaceX, the launch of its giant Starship rocket was once again called off, this time due to weather conditions. The decision to cancel the launch came at the last minute, as the 232ft (71-metre) tall Super Heavy booster and its 171ft tall Starship upper half were set to take off from SpaceX’s Starbase rocket facilities in Texas at 7:30pm local time.
The troubled rocket system, developed by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, has been experiencing a series of delays as the company faces challenges in achieving its long-sought milestones. Earlier, a liquid oxygen leak at the launchpad had also thwarted a launch attempt.
Despite these setbacks, SpaceX remains optimistic about the future of the Starship program. Musk believes that in the coming years, Starship will achieve a high launch frequency, with the potential to launch more than 24 times in a single day.
The Starship program not only signifies a key component of SpaceX’s powerful launch business but also plays a pivotal role in Musk’s ambitious goal to establish a human settlement on Mars and improve satellite internet services through Starlink.
Astoundingly, the development of Starship has seen repeated hurdles, including testing failures, and an explosion at the test site. However, SpaceX’s approach to test-to-failure development sets it apart from its rivals in the commercial space sector, including Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin and the New Glenn rocket from United Launch Alliance. Despite these challenges, SpaceX continues its pursuit of innovation, keeping the dream of interstellar travel alive.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/aug/25/elon-musk-spacex-starship-rocket-launch-texas
