SpaceX rocket explodes in the Indian Ocean after splashdown
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TEXAS: SpaceX’s massive Starship spacecraft successfully achieved its first-ever controlled splashdown in the Indian Ocean before experiencing an explosion moments after hitting the water.
The high-stakes test flight focused heavily on evaluating critical structural and mechanical upgrades, specifically targeting engine reliability, flight stability, and complex in-space maneuvers.
During the descent, the spacecraft successfully executed a signature flip maneuver and briefly reignited its engines to maintain precise control.
Although one engine malfunctioned earlier in the flight, preventing the vehicle from achieving its full target orbit, the mission successfully gathered vital flight data.
SpaceX officials viewed the targeted splashdown as a major triumph for the program's rapid development cycle.
The intentional ocean landing allowed engineers to safely push the prototype to its limits, proving the viability of its upgraded heat shielding and landing systems despite the final post-touchdown destruction.
Photo Credits: AFP
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