The latest SpaceX prototype exploded in a huge fireball during a forced test flight landing on Tuesday – meeting a fate similar to that of a previous test rocket.
The prototype steel starship serial number 9 (SN9) caught fire at the end of a successful high-altitude test in Boca Chica, Texas, according to stunning images of the accident. “We had another great flight again,” Announcer SpaceX said during the online broadcast. “We just need to work a little on that level.”
The rocket was launched at about 3:30 pm and flew up to 10 kilometers, or about 32,800 feet in altitude, before turning to a horizontal “belly down” position and performing a series of maneuvers.
Then he tried to land on his feet, but it seemed to come too fast and at a bad angle, according to the footage.
The flight ended in a deafening crash, setting off an explosion of fire that sent a cloud of dust and flame.
The explosion was similar to December, when the company’s SN8 rocket was destroyed.
Both are prototypes being developed by CEO Elon Musk’s space company in the hope that they will one day carry humans on missions to the Moon and Mars.
Musk was uncharacteristically quiet on Twitter during Tuesday’s flight, having announced the night before that he would take a break on social media.
The tech billionaire tweeted during the December flight, even to say that the mission was a great success, despite the forced landing.
SpaceX did not immediately comment.
Both are prototypes being developed by CEO Elon Musk’s space company in hopes of sending humans on missions to the Moon and Mars.