Freezing Valve Stops SpaceX Starship Launch

The first test of Starship, the most powerful rocket ever built, was canceled on April 17, 2023, at the last minute.

Photo Insert: Starship is touted as the biggest spaceship to be launched.

A crucial valve in the spacecraft froze over about 15 minutes before the planned launch, Alexandra Thompson reported for the New Scientist.

This prevented the first stage of the craft from pressurizing properly, which would have made a launch dangerous if SpaceX officials had decided to go through with the attempt.

Starship is touted as the biggest spaceship to be launched.

The countdown continued while Starship was loaded up with fuel for what is called a “wet dress rehearsal,” being stopped 10 seconds before zero, so the attempt wasn’t a total loss, but the pressurization issue will have to be solved before another attempt can be made, perhaps later this week.

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