A massive SpaceX rocket intended for moon and Mars travel exploded during a ground test in Texas on Wednesday night, the company confirmed, which marks the third time Starship testing has ended in a fiery eruption.
In bizarre footage that quickly went viral through multiple posts on X — the social media platform owned by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk — the rocket is seen exploding and bursting into flames. The blast also reportedly sent a loud, startling rumble in surrounding areas, shaking windows and rattling dishes.
“On Wednesday, June 18 at approximately 11 p.m. CT, the Starship preparing for the tenth flight test experienced a major anomaly while on a test stand at Starbase,” SpaceX wrote in a statement posted on X. “There are no hazards to residents in surrounding communities, and we ask that individuals do not attempt to approach the area while safing operations continue.”
The company added that its Starbase team was working with local officials to “safe the test site and the immediate surrounding area.”
As SpaceX shared in its statement, this explosion happened during preparations for the 10th flight test of the 403-foot Starship — the world’s biggest and most powerful rocket. Both the seventh and eighth test Starship flights ended with explosions.
In addition, according to the Associated Press, the ninth Starship test fell short of the main objectives when the spacecraft tumbled out of control and broke apart. Musk noted in a post on X that it was a “big improvement” from the two previous demos, AP reported, which ended in flaming debris over the Atlantic.
“Starship has already been booked by NASA for astronaut moon landings later this decade,” read AP’s report. “Musk intends to use the mammoth rockets to settle Mars.”
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