The abort occurred just moments before liftoff, when an automated safety system halted the sequence after several engines failed to ignite. CEO Elon Musk confirmed the technical hitch via social media, projecting a new launch window within the coming days. The mission was slated to carry 20 Starlink V3 satellites into orbit, marking a critical test for the company following the recent conclusion of a federal investigation into previous flight anomalies.

Market confidence in the aerospace firm has waned in recent sessions. The stock closed Thursday at $131.11, down 3.1% on the day, and has now shed 19% of its value since its initial public offering. The downward trend accelerated Wednesday when shares slipped below their $135 IPO price for the first time, reflecting mounting investor sensitivity to the company’s operational hurdles.