
A rocket built by Elon Musk’s SpaceX to test technology which one-day might ferry humans to Mars went as planned only to crash into the ground upon landing. While the rocket burst into flames near the landing pad, the mission was a success.
The rocket is an early development model of Starship, which according to a CNN report is a 160-foot-tall spaceship proposed by Musk to be used for hauling satellites into the Earth’s orbit, ferrying people between cities at lightening speed and eventually to Mars.
The official account of Space X shared with its followers the link to the live launch of the spacecraft.
Watch the video here:
Watch Starship high-altitude test live → https://t.co/Hs5C53qBxb https://t.co/sEMe4firi6
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) December 9, 2020
Following the landing, Musk congratulated his team as well as explained the cause for the explosion. “Fuel header tank pressure was low during landing burn, causing touchdown velocity to be high & RUD, but we got all the data we needed! Congrats SpaceX team hell yeah!!”
Fuel header tank pressure was low during landing burn, causing touchdown velocity to be high & RUD, but we got all the data we needed! Congrats SpaceX team hell yeah!!
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 9, 2020
The launch and the landing, even though it did not turn out as planned, triggered an avalanche of reactions on social media.
That was the most insane thing I’ve ever seen!!!
— Zack (@BLKMDL3) December 9, 2020
also successfully the most exciting thing i’ve ever watched
— danielle x (@lovemesomemusk) December 9, 2020
Well done @SpaceX …all the best for the next journey of #Starship ..to space and beyond!
— Amit Paranjape (@aparanjape) December 10, 2020
Incredible effort. Absolutely nuts. Can’t stop smiling.
(someone was def tripping when Starship’s belly-flop was conceived–nuts!)
— stevenmarkryan (@stevenmarkryan) December 9, 2020
That was incredible! SN9 up next, eh? pic.twitter.com/BL0wethTIQ
— Adam Klotz (@AdamKlotz_) December 9, 2020
It did the bellyflop! 😱 pic.twitter.com/Ql6qSHAhY1
— Chicago Glenn🔋🚗🇺🇸 (@chicago_glenn) December 9, 2020
SN8 Never Forget
2019-2020#SpaceX pic.twitter.com/KRpysx8pdr— elonnaire (@elonnaire) December 9, 2020