A prototype of SpaceX's future giant Starship rocket landed in one piece on Wednesday in Texas for the first time… before exploding on the ground a few minutes later.
No explanation was immediately provided.
A prototype of SpaceX's future giant Starship rocket, two of which had crashed into huge fireballs at the end of their test flight, landed in Texas on Wednesday, but exploded on the ground a few minutes later.
"A wonderful soft landing," SpaceX commented in the video broadcasting the test flight live.
Flames were however visible at the foot of the rocket, being extinguished by the teams on site.
A few minutes later, a huge explosion threw the craft into the air, which shattered as it fell to the ground.
Starship SN10's post landing demise is unfortunate but still, everyone at SpaceX can chalk todays flight test up as a huge success.
Become a patron at the link below for photo downloads, behind the scenes goodies, and more.
@NASASpaceflight
➡️ https://t.co/h5jW6oXxkQpic.twitter.com/H6OjBYCKb5
- Jack Beyer (@thejackbeyer) March 4, 2021
No explanation was immediately provided.
This vehicle is set to become the rocket of choice for SpaceX, founded by billionaire Elon Musk, to one day go to Mars.
The prototype, named SN10, for "Serial Number 10", took off a little before 11:20 GMT from Boca Chica, Texas, for a third suborbital test.
Two other prototypes crashed in December and February
The machine rose in the sky, propelled by three engines, which went out one after the other, and the vehicle overturned to place itself in a horizontal position.
It reached 10 kilometers altitude, before starting its descent, and the rocket then returned to a vertical position, managing to land, at first glance without incident, at the desired location.
Two other prototypes (SN8 and SN9) had crashed on landing, in December, then in early February.
These tests are taking place in a near-deserted area leased by SpaceX, in the far south of Texas, near the border with Mexico and on the edge of the Gulf of Mexico, an area empty enough for an accident or explosion to fail. cause no damage, nor do any victims.
Elon Musk imagines one day launching several of these vessels to conquer Mars.
But initially, the rocket, if it became operational, could prove useful for closer trips, especially to the Moon.