SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket remains on the launch pad as engineers check the main engine section. Photo: AFP

A new private supply ship for the International Space Station (ISS) remains stuck on the ground after rocket engine trouble led to a last-second abort of the historic flight.

All nine engines for the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket roared to life on Saturday morning. But with a mere half-second remaining before lift-off, the onboard computers automatically shut everything down. So instead of blasting off on a delivery mission to the space station, the rocket stayed on its launch-pad amid a plume of engine exhaust.

Even NASA's most seasoned launch commentator was taken offguard.

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The engines of the SpaceX Falcon 9 light but fail to launch from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station at Titusville, Florida. Photo: Getty Images

"Three, two, one, zero and liftoff," announced commentator George Diller, his voice trailing as the rocket failed to budge. "We've had a cutoff. Liftoff did not occur."

SpaceX president Gwynne Shotwell said that high-combustion chamber pressure in engine No 5 was to blame.

During an inspection later in the day, engineers discovered a faulty valve and worked into the evening to replace it.

Tuesday is the earliest that SpaceX can try again to send its cargo-laden Dragon capsule to the space station.

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Historic space flight turns into a fizzer