SpaceX
The flight test was aborted due to a Raptor engine auto-abort at T-1 second. Credit: Tom Lee / Flickr.

Space transportation service company SpaceX has aborted the high-altitude suborbital flight test of its Starship serial number 8 (SN8) prototype rocket on 8 December.

The flight test was aborted due to a Raptor engine auto-abort at T-1 second. It was scheduled to take place from the company’s site in Cameron County, Texas, US.

In a statement, SpaceX said: “We have additional test opportunities available on Wednesday, 9 December, and Thursday, 10 December.

“The schedule is dynamic and likely to change as is the case with all development testing. Stay tuned for more information on the next target test date and time.”

During the flight, SpaceX is planning to test various objectives, including the performance of the vehicle’s three Raptor engines, its total aerodynamic entry capabilities, and propellant transition management.

Made of stainless steel, Starship SN8 is the first version of the rocket that was revealed last year.

The rocket is designed to fly as high as 41,000ft.

The test will provide insights that will support Starship development in the future.

In a statement, SpaceX said: “SN8’s flight test is an exciting next step in the development of a fully reusable transportation system capable of carrying both crew and cargo to Earth orbit, the moon, Mars, and beyond.

“As we venture into new territory, we continue to appreciate all of the support and encouragement we have received.”

In August and September, the company completed flights, exceeding 500ft with the prototype’s predecessors SN6 and SN5.