"No Launch Today": SpaceX Scrubs Starship's First Orbital Test Over Frozen Valve

Update (1000ET):

SpaceX attempted the first test flight of its massive Starship rocket Monday morning only to encounter pressurization issues. The launch was scrubbed around the T-8 minutes mark. The launch attempt comes one day after the Federal Aviation Administration granted SpaceX final regulatory approval for launch. 

Elon Musk tweeted, "A pressurant valve appears to be frozen, so unless it starts operating soon, no launch today." 

A pressurant valve appears to be frozen, so unless it starts operating soon, no launch today

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 17, 2023

Recall, Musk recently gave the test launch of Starship around a 50% chance of succeeding on its first orbital flight. 

There's still no timeframe on when the next launch window will open. 

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Update (0910ET):

SpaceX intends to launch its massive Starship rocket into space at approximately 0920 ET. Should everything proceed smoothly, Starship is set to become the world's most powerful rocket.

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A lot is at stake for the SpaceX team. 

"We really need to fly this vehicle to understand it," Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX's president, told reporters in February. 

Elon Musk recently gave the test launch of Starship around a 50% chance of succeeding on its first orbital flight. 

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The Federal Aviation Administration granted SpaceX final regulatory approval to launch the world's biggest rocket on Monday morning. 

"After a comprehensive license evaluation process, the FAA determined SpaceX met all safety, environmental, policy, payload, airspace integration, and financial responsibility requirements," the FAA said in a statement, adding, "The license is valid for five years." 

Elon Musk's SpaceX said the Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy booster are ready for launch at its facility in Boca Chica, Texas, beginning at 0700 CT for a 150-minute window.

SpaceX explained this Starship launch is the first "integrated flight test." This means it's the first time the Super Heavy rocket and Starship will have taken off together. 

If the launch is successful, the Super Heavy booster will attempt landing at SpaceX's base, while Starship will attempt a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean near the Hawaiian island of Kauai.

SpaceX developed Starship to haul people and cargo to the moon, Mars, and deep space.

Over the weekend, Musk retweeted images of the Starship rocket on the launch pad. 

The billionaire recently said the Starship test has a 50% chance of succeeding on its first orbital flight.