ScienceJuly 17, 2026

Starship Flight 13: A Last-Second Abort at Starbase

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② Start Lesson

Key Vocabulary

engine/ˈɛn.dʒɪn/

a machine that makes power to move a vehicle or rocket

"The rocket's engine did not start."

launch/lɔːntʃ/

to send a rocket into the sky or space

"They planned a launch at six in the evening."

booster/ˈbuː.stər/

the first large stage of the rocket that gives most of the initial thrust

"The booster stayed on the pad after the abort."

Listening

Starship Flight 13: A Last-Second Abort at Starbase

SpaceX tried to launch its Starship rocket on July 16, 2026 from Starbase, Texas. The rocket began engine ignition but the launch was stopped when some engines did not start. Video showed engines light up and then shut down within seconds, and the team called the attempt a scrub.

The Super Heavy booster has 33 engines and this would have been Starship's 13th flight. The upper stage carried 20 Starlink satellites for testing and heat-shield photos. Elon Musk said the team hoped to try again in a few days. Engineers drained propellant and will inspect the vehicle before another try.

100 words

Quiz

1. Who tried to launch the rocket?

2. How many engines does the Super Heavy booster have?

3. Where did the launch attempt take place?

Reading Practice

Read the article from the Listening section aloud. Your AI teacher will give you pronunciation feedback.

Discussion

Do you enjoy watching rocket launches on video? Why or why not?

Have you ever been near a large machine or factory that made a loud noise? What did you feel?

What do you think when you hear about private companies building big rockets?