SpaceX’s Starship 12 rocket had a successful launch Friday night, before concluding its test run around the Earth with a planned fireball explosion as it splashed down in the Indian Ocean. The rocket’s launch — the largest and most powerful of its kind — took place at around 6:30 p.

An explosion has been captured at SpaceX ’s Starbase facility in Texas, where Elon Musk’s company is preparing to launch its Starship craft in a critical test of the world’s largest rocket. SpaceX was reportedly performing a deluge test, which involves shooting water at the base of the rocket to counter the massive flames during launch.

Explosion at SpaceX’s Starship launch site, days before critical rocket mission - Upcoming flight test of the world’s biggest rocket is crucial for Nasa’s moon ambitions