Particle.news
Download on the App Store
7 ARTICLES
·
8h ago

Ground-Side Oxygen Leak Forces Scrub of Starship’s 10th Test Flight

The postponement highlights mounting scrutiny of a program that has yet to prove reliable after multiple explosions this year.

Une fusée Starship de SpaceX décolle de la Starbase, le 27 mai 2025 au Texas peu avant l'explosion de son vaiseau, le Super Heavy booster
Un vaisseau spatial SpaceX Starship au Texas, le 23 août.
La fusée Starship de SpaceX décolle depuis Starbase, au Texas, le 27 mai 2025
La philosophie de SpaceX consiste à multiplier les essais jusqu’à ce que la bonne formule soit enfin mise au point.

Overview

  • SpaceX called off Sunday’s launch from its Texas site about 15 minutes before liftoff to troubleshoot ground systems, with Elon Musk citing a ground-side liquid oxygen leak and targeting another attempt Monday.
  • The rescheduled flight is planned to test the upper stage and conclude with an Indian Ocean splashdown, and it will not attempt a mechanical-arm booster catch.
  • Starship’s three flights earlier this year all failed, including two early upper‑stage explosions that scattered debris over the Caribbean and a May loss after a fuel leak despite reaching space.
  • A June ground static‑fire also ended in an explosion, compounding questions over the vehicle’s reliability.
  • Analysts describe strong pressure on the program given NASA’s Artemis reliance on a modified Starship, even as U.S. regulators have approved a higher launch cadence.