SpaceX Rocket Explodes on Ground After Successful Landing

SpaceX Rocket Explodes on Ground After Successful Landing

In this file photo from May 30, 2020, a SpaceX Falcon 9 lifts off from Pad 39-A at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

SpaceX's third Starship prototype landed safely on the ground but exploded minutes later on its landing pad. One hour after the explosion, SpaceX's founder Elon Musk tweeted to celebrate the landing "in one piece." His company hopes one day to send the Starship rocket to Mars. The event was broadcasted live and hosted by commentator John Insprucker who announced the successful landing saying "A beautiful soft landing," although flames were coming out at the bottom and crews were trying to put them out. The rocket exploded a few minutes later. It was thrown into the air and crashed back to the ground.

"As if the flight test was not exciting enough, SN10 experienced a rapid unscheduled disassembly shortly after landing," SpaceX said.

The latest prototype, named SN10, for "serial number 10," took off from Boca Chica, Texas in the third high-altitude test flight. Few minutes after completing its 10-kilometer planned altitude hop, each of the rocket's three engines gradually shut down to prepare for a brief free-fall back to land, and the rocket swoop