SpaceX was supposed to be celebrating and wrapping up its first successful attempt at a test launch and landing attempt for its Mars-bound spacecraft, but unfortunately, the SN10 Starship exploded minutes after touchdown. The spacecraft was already standing and peacefully waiting to power down its engines, while SpaceX was doing final preparations before its explosion.

The SN10 Starship's test launch was nearly aborted by the company, as SpaceX saw a component that needed changing, with the space manufacturer and CEO Elon Musk announced that it would continue hours later. The SN10 is the third iteration of the fully-erected Starship from SpaceX, and this should have been the "charm" as it is the only spacecraft that remains untested.

Unlike with SN8 and SN9's launch, there is no readily-available next-in-line spacecraft for the company to test and fly shortly, as SpaceX initially had the SN10 lined-up beside the SN9 Starship during its launch. This incident is a bitter end for the Stainless steel spacecraft lineup for SpaceX, as it could have been the model that would be patterned for a journey to Mars.

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SpaceX SN10 Test Flight

According to Everything SpaceX's (@spacex360) recently saved clip of the final moments of the SN10, the spacecraft is already sharing its final moments of peace, before an impending explosion has happened. The clip that led up to the explosion shows that the SN10 Starship has nailed its landing attempt, a feat that previous Starships have failed to do.

Twitter Error

As preparations for the supposed test launch of SpaceX SN10 Starship were done, Elon Musk's announcement on Twitter was followed by a launch abort an hour later because of thrust limits. However, it seems that the company carried on with their test flight, which has also achieved its 6.2 mi (10 km) thrust into the air.

Launch abort on slightly conservative high thrust limit. Increasing thrust limit & recycling propellant for another flight attempt today.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 3, 2021

The company prepared for the belly flop return, as it aims to decrease velocity and speed, before pulling up at its descent as it nears the ground and fired up the three Raptor engines to break the fall it was about to make.

The team behind the launch has reportedly ignited only two of the engines on its descent and it was able to maintain a slight elevation to the ground before it landed.

SpaceX SN10 Starship: Successful Touch Down and Unexpected Explosion

According to Express UK and SpaceX's live stream video, the SN10 Starship was already standing on its platform, but the soft landing was not on the spacecraft's feet, leaning on one engine.

This mistake caused methane and fuel to leak out from one side, and as the team has shut off the engines, unexpected combustion led to the explosion of the entire rocket.

Methane and other spacecraft fuel are highly combustible as it needs a rapid change from a liquid state to an energy that could propel thousands of tons into the air and outside the Earth's atmosphere.

It is possible that the methane was ignited by dying out sparks in the engine, or even its heat, as it only prepares to cool down.

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Written by Isaiah Alonzo