Technology entrepreneur, Elon Musk, suffered a huge disaster when a rocket prototype for his SpaceX corporation exploded during a test. SpaceX is a company he founded in 2002 that designs, manufactures and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft. Their ultimate goal is to one day enable people to live on other planets.
In the video captures by by local space enthusiasts, SpaceX’s Starship MK1 can be seen exploding, with plumes of white smoke pouring from the top.
The top of the rocket shoots into the air and then lands a bit away from it.
The white smoke continues to pour from the vessel, being blown away by the wind.
The pressure test took place where the rocket is being constructed in Boca Chica, Texas.
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The rocket was tipped to begin test flights by the end of 2019, but has now suffered a huge setback.
The rocket was unmanned during the test, and no one was hurt.
Speaking to The Verge, a spokesperson for SpaceX said: “The purpose of today’s test was to pressurise systems to the max, so the outcome was not completely unexpected.
“There were no injuries, nor is this a serious setback.”
While Mr Musk hasn’t specifically commented on the failed test, in a reply to tweet about it, he confirmed that SpaceX is now focusing its efforts on a new prototype for the Starship, called MK3.
He said: “Mk1 had some value as a manufacturing pathfinder, but flight design is quite different.”
Once deployed, Starship will be the world’s most powerful launch vehicle, according to SpaceX.
On its website it explained: “Starship will be the world’s most powerful launch vehicle ever developed, with the ability to carry in excess of 100 metric tonnes to Earth orbit.
“Drawing on an extensive history of launch vehicle and engine development programs, SpaceX has been rapidly iterating on the design of Starship with orbital-flight targeted for 2020.”
