Elon Musk says SpaceX will again attempt to launch its Starhopper prototype rocket around 5 p.m. ET today, 24 hours after engineers were forced to scrub the launch with one second remaining on the countdown clock.

Musk tweeted that the launch had to be aborted over a wiring problem with Starhopper's igniters on its Raptor engine. In response to a question from a journalist, he called the issue "embarrassing."

Starhopper is SpaceX's precursor to its Starship rocket, which Musk has said will one day carry humans to Mars. The squat, metallic prototype rocket completed its first "untethered" flight earlier this summer when it successfully lifted off and hovered about 65 feet off the ground. This next test, if and when it is successful, will launch Starhopper 500 feet into the air, at which point it will attempt to make a three-point landing on the launchpad at the SpaceX facility in South Texas.

Share:
More In Business
Why CEO's Fear A.I. and Climate Change
More executives are feeling better about the global economy. But a growing number don’t think their companies will survive the coming decade without a major overhaul because of pressure from climate change and technology like artificial intelligence.
A Gold Medal For Beer Drinkers
The International Olympic Committee has signed the first beer brand in the 40-year history of a sponsorship program that earns billions of dollars for the organization and international sports.
Why Record-Shattering Heat Has Scientists On Edge
The latest calculations from several science agencies showing Earth obliterated global heat records last year may seem scary. But scientists worry that what’s behind those numbers could be even worse.
Load More