SpaceX Starship Launch Hits Snag

Friday's anticipated Starship launch was delayed due to the need to replace hardware, chief executive Elon Musk said.

Friday, November 17, 2023 at 11:54 AM ET

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SpaceX’s Starship rocket and Super Heavy Booster are stacked on the company’s Boca Chica, Texas, launch pad. [Courtesy: SpaceX]

Key Takeaways:

SpaceX's second Starship launch, originally set for Friday, has been delayed until Saturday due to the need to replace a grid fin actuator.
The FAA had already granted clearance for this orbital test flight, which is part of SpaceX's iterative development for a fully reusable launch system.
This upcoming flight follows Starship's initial test in April, which ended with an explosion and prompted an FAA investigation.

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SpaceX’s long-anticipated second launch of its Starship rocket, initially set for Friday morning, has been delayed due to the need to replace flight control hardware, according to chief executive Elon Musk.

Earlier in the week, SpaceX had been given the all clear by the FAA for the second orbital test flight of the 400-foot-tall Starship upper stage rocket and Super Heavy booster.