SpaceX was forced to stand down from the launch of its highly anticipated Starship Flight 8 test mission on Monday, March 3, from its Starbase facility in southern Texas. The decision came after multiple holds during the countdown, ultimately preventing the nearly 400-foot-tall rocket from taking flight.
Credit: SpaceX
Last-Minute Holds Lead to Scrub
The launch countdown proceeded smoothly until less than 30 minutes before the scheduled liftoff at 5:45 p.m. CST (6:45 p.m. EST, 2345 UTC). At that point, SpaceX commentator Dan Huot noted that engineers were addressing an issue that could trigger a hold at T-40 seconds. The issue indeed caused a delay lasting over five minutes.
SpaceX briefly lifted the hold, but a new one was imposed just seconds later due to complications with the Super Heavy booster. Unable to resolve the issue, SpaceX officially scrubbed the launch, leaving the mission without a new launch date as of 8 p.m. EST (0100 UTC) that night.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had granted SpaceX the necessary clearance to proceed with Flight 8 on February 26, following a comprehensive safety review. However, the investigation into the anomalies of January’s Flight 7 remains ongoing.
In a X post, SpaceX confirmed that they’re now targeting March 5 for the next launch attempt of flight 8.
When it eventually launches, Flight 8 will attempt to achieve objectives left unfulfilled by January’s test flight. The mission plan includes deploying simulated Starlink Version 3 satellites, reigniting a Raptor engine in space, and executing a propulsive splashdown in the Indian Ocean about an hour after liftoff.
Super Heavy Booster 15 (B15) is expected to attempt a return to the launch site, where SpaceX hopes to catch it using the chopstick arms of the "Mechazilla" launch tower. If successful, it will mark the third successful booster catch out of four attempts.
SpaceX has implemented subtle procedural changes to improve mission execution, including slight timing adjustments in the fueling process and payload deployment demonstration. The company has also reduced the number of Starlink simulator satellites from ten in Flight 7 to four in Flight 8, without providing a specific reason for the change.
Lessons from Flight 7’s Failure
SpaceX recently detailed the failures of Flight 7, where the upper stage (Ship 33) was lost due to a severe harmonic response that caused excessive stress on propulsion system hardware. This led to propellant leaks, fires, and ultimately, the vehicle's destruction.
In response, SpaceX has introduced hardware modifications, including a nitrogen purge system and additional vents to mitigate fire risks in the vehicle’s unpressurized aft section, known as the "attic." Future Starship models will feature the next-generation Raptor 3 engine, which is designed to reduce potential leak points.
A 60-second static fire test was conducted before Flight 8 to analyze the harmonic response issue. Findings from this test led to adjustments in propellant temperatures, modifications to fuel feedlines, and a revised operating thrust target.
Future of Starship and Reusability Efforts
While SpaceX has yet to attempt catching the Starship upper stage, signs point to that milestone coming soon. A recent FCC filing suggests that Flight 9 may include the first attempt to catch a returning Starship. However, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has emphasized that more data is needed before such a test can take place.
“We need to perfect ship reentry at extreme temperatures before attempting to catch the ship with the tower arms, like the booster,” Musk stated on his social media platform, X.
During a recent appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience, Musk predicted that SpaceX could achieve Starship reusability this year and full-stack rapid reusability by 2026.
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