SpaceX called off the first launch attempt of its giant rocket Monday after a problem cropped up during fueling,

Elon MuskB次元官网网址檚 company had planned to fly the nearly 400-foot from the southern tip of Texas, near the Mexican border.

The countdown was halted at the 40-second mark because of a stuck valve in the first-stage booster. Launch controllers couldnB次元官网网址檛 fix the frozen valve in time, and canceled the attempt. The countdown continued, and fueling was completed, as a dress rehearsal.

No people or satellites were aboard. There wonB次元官网网址檛 be another try until at least Wednesday.

B次元官网网址淟earned a lot today,B次元官网网址� Musk tweeted after the flight was postponed.

The company plans to use Starship to send people and cargo to the moon and, ultimately, Mars.

On the eve of the launch attempt, cars, campers, RVs and even bicycles and horses jammed the only road leading to the launch pad, where the stainless steel rocket towered above the flat scrubland and prairie. Enthusiasts posed in front of the giant letters that spelled out Starbase at the entrance of the SpaceX complex, and in front of the rocket two miles farther down the road, which ended at the gulf.

On Monday, spectators were barred from the area, and instead packed a beach about six miles away on South Padre Island.

Ernesto and Maria Carreon drove two hours from Mission, Texas, with their two daughters, 5 and 7, to watch.

B次元官网网址淚 got sad. They got sad,B次元官网网址� when the launch attempt was canceled, Maria Carreon said.

They canB次元官网网址檛 return for the next try but planned to have fun on the beach Monday.

Michelle Vancampenhout, on vacation from Green Bay, Wisconsin, said sheB次元官网网址檒l be back.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a once-in-a-lifetime experience to see it,B次元官网网址� she said.

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Marcia Dunn, The Associated Press

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