The Super Heavy rocket exploded during pre-launch testing.
The video of the blast was shared by NASASpaceflight, which was live streaming the test at the Starbase facility.
Yeah, actually not good. Team is assessing damage.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 11, 2022
Black smoke billowed from the spot where the blast took place after the vehicle appeared to be intact.
The incident was described as "not good" by the CEO of the company. Engineers will want to find out what happened.
It is too early to say if the explosion will affect the launch of the Super Heavy, which is expected to one day send the spaceship to the moon and even Mars.
After passing an environmental review by the FAA, the company can use its Starbase site for rocket launches once it completes a list of specific actions. They include keeping the local community informed of work at the site and monitoring nearby animal and plant populations to make sure they don't get affected by launch events.
The Super Heavy and Starship will be ready for the first test flight later this month according to Musk.
The launchpad explosion on Monday could push any plans to August or beyond.
When the vehicle gets off the ground, it will be the most powerful rocket of all time. Thirty-three Raptor engines will create 17 million pounds of thrust, more than double that of the Saturn V rocket that sent astronauts to the moon.
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