SpaceX Starship Engine Disaster Could Derail NASA's Dream of Landing Astronauts on Moon

SpaceX's Starship reached orbit for the first time during its latest test flight, but the milestone was overshadowed by an engine failure that could put fresh pressure on NASA's already tight timetable for returning astronauts to the Moon.

During Flight 14 on 28 September, one of Starship's six upper-stage Raptor engines, a Raptor vacuum engine, shut down during ascent. The vehicle still reached orbit and deployed 26 Starlink satellites, but SpaceX ended the mission earlier than planned after the engine issue.

Reuters reported that the failure could complicate NASA's plans because Raptor technology is central to the Starship Human Landing System being developed for Artemis.

The timing matters. NASA is targeting an Artemis III demonstration mission in 2027, followed by Artemis IV, the first planned crewed Artemis lunar landing, in early 2028. Starship is one of the commercial landers being developed for the effort, alongside Blue Origin's Blue Moon.

If the engine problem proves to be more than an isolated component failure, engineers could face additional testing, redesign work and schedule pressure before astronauts can safely rely on the vehicle.

Starship Reaches Orbit Despite Engine Failure

Flight 14 marked a major step for SpaceX because Starship reached orbit and deployed operational satellites for the first time. However, the mission did not complete everything originally planned.

One of Ship's six Raptor engines shut down during ascent, according to reports on the flight. Flight controllers continued the mission after the shutdown, and the spacecraft reached orbit. The vehicle later ended its mission earlier than planned.

SpaceX has not publicly established that the failure represents a wider design defect. Reuters quoted aerospace engineer Dean Sladen as saying the consequences could range from a 'one-off failure of a single part' to a problem requiring upgrades across the fleet.

Why the Engine Problem Matters for Artemis

NASA's lunar strategy has changed substantially since SpaceX was first selected as the Artemis III lander provider. Under NASA's revised plan, Artemis III is now a demonstration mission in low Earth orbit, intended to test rendezvous and docking with one or both commercial landers being developed by SpaceX and Blue Origin.

NASA currently says Artemis IV is targeted for early 2028. The crew will travel aboard Orion to lunar orbit before transferring to a commercial human landing system for the journey to the surface. Lander readiness will help determine which provider carries the astronauts.

That gives NASA an alternative if Starship encounters serious delays. Blue Origin is also developing a human-rated lunar lander, meaning the programme is no longer dependent on a single commercial vehicle in the same way it was when SpaceX was the sole provider.

However, Starship remains a crucial part of NASA's plans. The agency says SpaceX is developing Starship HLS for Artemis, while the enormous vehicle must demonstrate demanding capabilities, including orbital operations and lunar landing systems.

Starship Already Faces a Tight Development Schedule

The engine failure comes against a background of previous Starship development delays. A March 2026 NASA Office of Inspector General report found that development of SpaceX's Artemis III Starship lander had already been delayed by at least two years against its earlier schedule, with further delays expected.

That history makes the latest engine shutdown more important than the single incident itself. If the problem proves to be isolated and SpaceX can correct it quickly, the effect on Artemis could be limited. If it reveals a broader propulsion issue, however, additional testing could consume time needed for other Starship milestones.

For now, the Flight 14 result is mixed rather than a complete disaster. Starship achieved its first orbital milestone and deployed satellites, but the engine failure exposed another technical hurdle on the path towards human spaceflight.