In Pictures | When Elon Musk's Starship dream exploded into 'successful failure'
Starship, the most powerful rocket ever built, exploded during its first flight on Thursday, leaving millions of on-lookers in shock worldwide.
SpaceX blew up the uncrewed rocket four minutes after it blasted off at 13:33 (GMT) or 7:03 PM (IST) from Starbase, the SpaceX spaceport in Boca Chica, Texas.
The Starship spacecraft that will eventually carry crew and cargo had been scheduled to separate from the first-stage rocket booster three minutes into the flight, but separation failed to occur and the rocket disintegrated in a ball of fire over the Gulf of Mexico.
"The vehicle experienced multiple engines out during the flight test, lost altitude, and began to tumble," SpaceX said. "The flight termination system was commanded on both the booster and ship."
After the explosion, Musk congratulated SpaceX employees and said he’s optimistic about the program’s progress. Analysts called it Musk's way of turning setbacks into 'successful failures'.
Here is how Starship became a ball of fire in thin air:
The SpaceX Starship lifts off from the launchpad
The SpaceX Starship lifts off from the launchpad during a flight test from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas, on April 20, 2023. The rocket successfully blasted off at 13:33 GMT (7:03PM IST). The Starship capsule had been scheduled to separate from the first-stage rocket booster three minutes into the flight.
(Photograph:AFP)
Premature celebrations moments after SpaceX Starship launch
A spectator celebrates on South Padre Island, Texas, as the SpaceX Starship launches for a flight test from Starbase. Moments later, Starship capsule failed to separate from the first-stage rocket booster and the rocket blew up.
(Photograph:AFP)
