SpaceX Starship test flight: Giant rocket explodes after launch

SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, Texas — The massive Starship rocket created by Elon Musk’s SpaceX exploded above the Gulf of Mexico Thursday in a massive fireball several minutes after launch. 

Despite the spectacular end to the rocket, SpaceX is likely pleased with the results of the launch. Their goal, according to commentators on the live broadcast of the event, was simply to make it off the launch pad. 

And in that endeavor, they succeeded, after a short delay. Seconds before liftoff, the countdown was stopped for some…