It was still a success after all. An experimental rocket built by Elon Musk's SpaceX successfully lift off eight miles above its testing facilities in South Texas on Wednesday and comeback down planned before crashing into the ground.
The shiny cone shaped rocket doesn't have anyone onboard since it was the early development model. A 16-foot-tall spaceship says could carry people to Mars for the next six years. Despite the tragic end, Musk was thrilled in a tweet.
"Mars, here we come!!"
Mars, here we come!!
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 9, 2020
The first test flight marked the highest flight yet of the technology with Musk predicted saying in one tweet that it had a one-in-three chance of landing safely back on Earth.
Indeed, SN8 did manage to maneuver back to its landing target, but Musk said via Twitter that an issue with te rocket's fuel system caused it to make a crash landing.
"Fuel header tank pressure was low during landing burn, causing touchdown velocity to be high & RUD, but we got all the data we needed! Congrats SpaceX team hell yeah!!"
Fuel header tank pressure was low during landing burn, causing touchdown velocity to be high & RUD, but we got all the data we needed! Congrats SpaceX team hell yeah!!
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 9, 2020
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