Setback for SpaceX as Starship explodes during routine test

ONE of Elon Musk’s SpaceX Starships exploded during a routine test this week in Texas, law enforcement said, in the latest setback to the billionaire’s dream of turning humanity into an interplanetary species.

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The Starship 36 suffered “catastrophic failure and exploded” at the Starbase launch facility shortly after 11pm, a Facebook post by the Cameron County authorities said.

A video shared with the post showed the megarocket attached to the launch arm, and then a flash and a towering, fiery explosion.

Musk’s Space X said the rocket was preparing for the tenth flight test when it “experienced a major anomaly while on a test stand at Starbase,” without elaborating on the nature of the complication.

“A safety clear area around the site was maintained throughout the operation and all personnel are safe and accounted for,” Space X added on social media.

“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.”