SpaceX aborts Starship launch 30 seconds before liftoff over hardware fault

SpaceX halted the countdown for its 407-foot Starship rocket Thursday with roughly 30 seconds remaining before ignition after a hydraulic pin in the launch tower arm failed to retract, according to the company.

The scrubbed attempt was the 12th test flight for Starship and the first since fall 2025. NASA is counting on the vehicle to land astronauts on the moon in coming years. Note to editors: this story carries no Orange County local angle and falls outside OC LifeHub's editorial scope; publication is not recommended without a localized hook.

SpaceX attempted to launch Starship from Starbase, a facility near the Mexican border in South Texas, on Thursday evening. The rocket was carrying 20 mock Starlink satellites and was planned to fly for roughly one hour before the spacecraft splashed down in the Indian Ocean, according to ABC7 Los Angeles.

The abort came after problems developed with the brand-new launch pad at Starbase. A hydraulic pin holding the launch tower arm in place did not retract as required, and SpaceX ran out of time to resolve the issue before the launch window closed, ABC7 Los Angeles reported.

The company said a Friday reattempt was possible if crews could complete repairs in time. No SpaceX representatives provided quotes in the published source report.

The mission would have marked the 12th Starship test flight overall and the first since fall 2025. NASA has selected Starship as the vehicle intended to land astronauts on the lunar surface in the coming years.

The launch attempt came one day after SpaceX founder Elon Musk announced the company would pursue a public stock offering, according to ABC7 Los Angeles.

SpaceX has not announced a confirmed launch date for the rescheduled attempt. NASA has not commented publicly on the delay.