Elon Musk’s SpaceX Booster Topples Over on Fire During Botched Landing
Elon Musk’s SpaceX canceled the second of two scheduled satellite launches early Wednesday after one of its rocket boosters burst into flames and fell over after landing.
The Falcon 9’s first stage toppled as it touched down on a drone ship stationed hundreds of miles off the Florida coast, according to CBS News. Video of the incident showed flames around the bottom of the booster before it keeled over into the Atlantic Ocean, apparently exploding as it crashed onto its side.
“After a successful ascent, Falcon 9’s first stage booster tipped over following touchdown on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship,” SpaceX said in an X post. “Teams are assessing the booster’s flight data and status. This was the booster’s 23rd launch.”