SpaceX Starship exploded during a routine flight test at the Starbase facility in Texas.
It exploded on 18 July at 11 pm local time, and the company noted on social media that a “major anomaly” occurred during the test.
“A safety clear area around the site was maintained throughout the operation and all personnel are safe and accounted for,” the post said.
“There are no hazards to residents in surrounding communities, and we ask that individuals do not attempt to approach the area while safing operations continue.”
A video capturing the moment the rocket exploded shows that the rocket appeared to experience two explosions in quick succession.
The Starship was supposed to be part of NASA’s mission to bring Americans back to the moon by 2027, with the U.S. space agency paying SpaceX up to US$4 billion for the project.
The rocket was also at the core of Musk’s goal of sending humans to space, which has failed repeatedly.
This includes a Starship rocket spinning out of control halfway through a flight in May and a spacecraft exploding months earlier.
The SpaceX explosion comes as Musk steps back from his stint in the White House and focuses once again on his other business endeavours, including desperately trying to save the reputation of EV brand Tesla.
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