SpaceX scrubs first launch attempt of its Starship launch system [Updated]
Enlarge / SpaceX's Starship rocket is stacked for the final time on Saturday before a launch attempt. (credit: SpaceX)
9:15 am ET update: SpaceX ended Monday's launch attempt of the Starship vehicle about 10 minutes before liftoff. The problem was caused by a stuck pressurization valve. Instead, the company has turned the launch attempt into a wet dress fueling test.
The company has backup opportunities to launch on Tuesday and Wednesday, but since so much liquid oxygen and methane propellant was loaded on board the vehicle, it will take a minimum of 48 hours to recycle into a new countdown.
7:15 am ET update: The first rays of sunlight are visible in the sky over South Padre Island this morning, with a crescent Moon in the sky and the massive Starship rocket on the horizon. As of this writing, SpaceX engineers are still working toward the opening of the launch window at 9 am ET (8 am local time, 1300 UTC).