SpaceX Mars Rocket Explodes In Test Flight

REDONDO BEACH, CA — SpaceX attempted a high-altitude suborbital flight test in Texas Wednesday, ending with the rocket exploding into fire and smoke.

The experimental rocket soared eight miles above the sky before it exploded, CNN reports. No one was onboard the 160-foot-tall rocket.

The team appears to be excited by the results despite the explosion, with CEO Elon Musk describing the rocket's ascent and more details about the test.

Successful ascent, switchover to header tanks & precise flap control to landing point! https://t.co/IIraiESg5M
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 9, 2020

SpaceX's #Starship prototype SN8 explodes on impact during its attempted landing pic.twitter.com/bnmC6SqqAc
— Michael Sheetz (@thesheetztweetz) December 9, 2020

Update on the results of SpaceX's #Starship SN8 test, which CEO Elon Musk seems very happy about: https://t.co/uAOrhPpe09
— Michael Sheetz (@thesheetztweetz) December 9, 2020

"SN8’s flight test is an exciting next step in the development of a fully reusable transportation system capable of carrying both crew and cargo to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars, and beyond," SpaceX announced. "As we venture into new territory, we continue to appreciate all of the support and encouragement we have received."

Watch Starship serial number 8 (SN8) launch in Cameron County, Texas:

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