SpaceX is dealing with a minor setback with its Starship rocket prototype as it exploded during an attempted landing. The flight had been delayed after an attempt yesterday was aborted just moments before launch. The rocket flew to a height of 40-thousand feet and appeared to be successfully maneuvered before exploding in flames as it made a hard landing. The flight was apparently still viewed as a success as a flight controller could be heard on the video stream congratulating the team for the nice work.
SpaceX said the SN8's flight test was the next step in development of a fully reusable transportation system capable of carrying both crew and cargo to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
Elon Musk later tweeted, "Thank you, South Texas for your support! This is the gateway to Mars."