SpaceX Rocket Explodes into Large Fireball After ‘Main Anomaly’

A SpaceX rocket has exploded in flames throughout testing in Texas.

In footage shared by NasaSpaceFlight.com on X on Wednesday, June 18, the rocket might be seen exploding whereas at Starbase, SpaceX’s launch web site in southern Texas, sending an enormous fireball into the sky.

SpaceX stated the Starship rocket “skilled a significant anomaly whereas on a take a look at stand at Starbase” whereas it was getting ready for its tenth flight take a look at in a put up on X.

“A security clear space across the web site was maintained all through the operation and all personnel are protected and accounted for,” the put up continued. “Our Starbase workforce is actively working to protected the take a look at web site and the rapid surrounding space together with native officers.”

The corporate went on to say there are “no hazards to residents in surrounding communities.” “We ask that people don’t try and strategy the world whereas safing operations proceed,” the put up concluded.

The incident occurred round 11 p.m. native time.

Elon Musk, who’s the founder and CEO of SpaceX, has not commented individually on the incident.

It’s not the primary time a SpaceX rocket has skilled issues throughout testing.

On Could 27, the Starship’s ninth flight take a look at didn’t go to plan after liftoff at Vandenberg Area Power Base in California. 

As beforehand reported by PEOPLE, whereas the automobile efficiently reached the Earth’s orbit, an obvious propellant leak triggered a lack of altitude. In keeping with ABC Information, the spacecraft started spinning and mission management might now not management it.

Particles from the rocket fell into the Indian Ocean, per The New York Instances.

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Two months earlier, Starship’s eighth flight take a look at led to one other rocket explosion, which led planes to be grounded at a number of Florida airports. The rocket exploded after liftoff in Texas on March 6. (Its seventh take a look at flight, which came about in January, additionally led to an explosion.)

Starship is a part of 53-year-old Musk’s newest step towards his purpose of sending people to Mars by 2026.