At the threshold of Flight 12, Starship faces its worst enemy: its own launch pad

Starship is nearing Flight 12, but launch-pad problems are adding new setbacks before the next launch.

A deluge-system test caused a small explosion and steam plume, following a string of failures in recent static-fire and pad tests.

SpaceX still targets a mid-May Starship flight, while Blue Origin keeps pushing ahead on its lunar lander work.

The launch infrastructure issues could affect SpaceX’s schedule and its position in the Artemis lunar lander race.