In a heartwarming reunion last week at the Boca Chica launch site in Texas, SpaceX founder and the world’s wealthiest individual, Elon Musk, had a poignant encounter with his father, Errol Musk, as the company successfully launched the monumental Starship. According to reports from The Sun, Errol Musk, accompanied by his ex-wife Heide and granddaughter Cora, attended the historic launch. This marked the first meeting between Elon and his father in seven years.
Despite a history of strained relations, the father-son duo set aside their differences for this significant occasion. The last time they were seen together was in 2016, when Elon Musk and his brother Kimbal celebrated their father’s 70th birthday. Errol Musk received a surprise invitation to the Starship launch, leading to an emotional family reunion.
Elon Musk (Credits: Getty Images)
Describing the moment, Heide shared with The Sun that the family was moved to tears. Elon and Errol, appearing genuinely happy to see each other, immediately sat down together at Elon’s table, engaging in conversation as if no time had passed. Heidi noted that it was a touching moment, and the father and son spent a considerable amount of time reconnecting.
The Starship hailed as the largest rocket ever constructed, marked a milestone for SpaceX with its successful launch, although it faced a dramatic end as it exploded above the Gulf of Mexico eight minutes after liftoff. Despite the setback, a SpaceX announcer declared it an “incredibly successful day.” The Super Heavy Booster and the ship experienced a “rapid unscheduled disassembly,” but the separation of the booster rocket from the mega-ship was a notable achievement compared to a previous attempt in April.
Elon Musk envisions the Starship as a key player in future Mars colonization efforts. When the two stages of the Starship are combined, the rocket stands at an impressive 397 feet (121 meters) tall, surpassing the Statue of Liberty by a significant 90 feet. The launch, despite its explosive conclusion, represents a crucial step in SpaceX’s ambitious space exploration goals.
