New Delhi: Setback for Elon Musk after a booster rocket developed by Elon Musk’s SpaceX for its next-generation Starship spacecraft burst into flames during a ground-test firing on Monday in Texas.
Elon Musk aims to launch Starship to orbit later this year.
After the explosion, Musk said on Twitter, “Yeah, actually not good. Team is assessing damage.”
Yeah, actually not good. Team is assessing damage.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 11, 2022
The video of Super Heavy Booster 7 prototype explosion can be seen in a livestream recorded by the website NASA Spaceflight.
However, there were no reports about or any indications of injuries.
Here is Elon Musk reacted:
On Tuesday (July 12), Elon Musk said that the explosion, which engulfed the base of the rocket in a ball of flames and heavy smoke and appeared to shake the video camera. This burst was specific to the engine spin start test.
He further said that “Going forward, we won’t do a spin start test with all 33 engines at once.”
However, SpaceX did not immediately comment on Monday’s blast.
Also, no statement was made by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) when asked if they would investigate the explosion.
Here is how Twitterati reacted:
Kaboom – SpaceX South Texas Failed Test.
Possibly causing a long delay to the Starship program.
The shockwave was felt over 6 miles away.#SpaceX South Texas #RGV July 11, 2022 https://t.co/6EW4m5RDvX
— RGV.com™ (@rgv_com) July 11, 2022
How do you like Elon Musk?
The launch vehicle developed by SpaceX to launch the Starship spacecraft exploded on the launch pad during testing. pic.twitter.com/OEdxk9JVHe
— Spriteer (@spriteer_774400) July 12, 2022
To all the people who say SpaceX are ready to launch starship. pic.twitter.com/BSwxEPASmh
— Jacob S ??????? (@JacobS_LCFC) July 11, 2022
At the end of 2020 and in the beginning of 2021, SpaceX had lost four prototypes of the Starship itself in a series of high-altitude test launches in which the return landing attempts ended in explosions.
However in May 2021, the Starship prototype finally nailed a safe touchdown.
