Testing of SpaceX Starhopper prototype rocket postponed at the last moment

Scheduled for Monday testing of an early prototype of SpaceX's Starship rocket, called the Starhopper, was canceled for unspecified reasons.

After two hours of waiting, at 18:00 local time (2:00 Moscow time), the command “Clear off” was received. The next attempt will be on Tuesday. 

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has hinted that the problem may be the igniters of the Raptor, the company's latest rocket engine.

This is the second time SpaceX has postponed testing, during which the Starhopper prototype is supposed to take off 150 m, and then land on the site. Prior to that, it was planned to be held in early August.

Residents of the town of Boca Chica (Texas), located near the SpaceX launch pad, was recommended leave buildings and take your pets outside during the test to avoid the risk of injury due to broken glass in windows from the blast.

While attempting to fire test the engine of the SpaceX Starhopper test rocket in July a fire occurred, resulting in a fire that engulfed about 100 acres (40,5 hectares) of the area. Therefore, the measures taken by the police can hardly be called excessive.

Source: 3dnews.ru