business
SpaceX Starship launch aborted on the pad at the last moment
By Marcia Dunn, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· July 16, 2026
· 2 min read
SpaceX’s mega Starship rocket came within a second or so from blasting off on a test flight Thursday but some of the engines failed to start, triggering a launch abort.Elon Musk's company said it will have to figure out what went wrong before making another attempt to send Starship on a space-ski...
Key takeaway Elon Musk's company said it will have to figure out what went wrong before making another attempt to send Starship on a space-skimming flight halfway around the world.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
The aborted launch of SpaceX's Starship rocket has significant implications for San Antonio 's growing tech industry, which has been closely watching the company's progress. As a major player in the private space sector, SpaceX's success is crucial for the development of new technologies and innovations that can have a ripple effect on local businesses and startups. With NASA counting on Starship to land astronauts on the moon in the next few years, the pressure is on for SpaceX to resolve the engine issues and get the rocket back on track. San Antonio's own aerospace industry, which has been expanding in recent years, will be closely watching the company's next moves, as a successful Starship program could lead to new opportunities for collaboration and investment in the region. The city's business leaders will be eager to see how SpaceX overcomes this setback and what it means for the future of space exploration and development in the area.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: business ·
Published: July 16, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? SpaceX’s mega Starship rocket came within a second or so from blasting off on a test flight Thursday but some of the engines failed to start, triggering a launch abort.Elon Musk's company said it will have to figure out what went wrong before making another attempt to send Starship on a space-ski...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 16, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Marcia Dunn, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more business coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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