From Virtual Reality to Outer Space: SpaceX Launch Viewing Party in Somnium Space Metaverse

Written by Anora

Crossing Realities, boundaries, and atmospheres across multiple modalities. On April 20th, 2023, the Somnium Space Community converged on the Metaverse planet of Mars to witness the launch of SpaceX’s Starship or previously coined as the BFR (Big Fucking Rocket). The spectators gathered at OMG Multiverse located at the city center, buzzing with curiosity and excitement to witness history unfold as this marked the first “fully stacked” trial. Designed to eventually carry up to 100 astronauts and being the largest and most powerful rocket ever built! With hopes in taking a step towards human exploration of the Mars of our universe. Placed atop the Super Heavy booster rocket were 33 Raptor engines. Providing the mega boost, the Starship cruise vessel would need to potentially soar into the air.

Video by UltraLord

The countdown began as the engines ignited, clouds of smoke surrounded the vessel, and with great force the rocket was off in the air! Climbing higher and higher, only to spin out of control before exploding roughly four minutes after launching from the ground.

Video by UltraLord

It seemed two sections of the rocket system – the booster and cruise vessel – were unable to separate properly after takeoff, possibly contributing to this unfortunate event. Though seemingly unphased by this failure of the SpaceX rocket, the control team at SpaceX cheered for the attempt, knowing that they had gained knowledge and experience to guide the next project. So, a failure? Not even close. Just more research to be done.

SpaceX had previously explained that they had rather “low expectations” for the rocket’s success in flying out of this atmosphere on the first go around, instead they explained that they see it as an opportunity for research, development, and growth.

Musk even took to twitter to congratulate the SpaceX team saying, “Congrats SpaceX team on an exciting test launch of Starship! Learned a lot for next test launch in a few months.”

Despite the first failed attempt they seem in good spirits, which is what one must have if they are trying to prepare for a project of this magnitude! To make history one must see plenty of failure before one sees success. Especially for any innovation to come to fruition.

But what was happening on the Somnium Space platform? While the world watched this epic event unfold, Somnium took to virtual reality to share with its community in a livestream! Already standing on a Mars of their own these extraterrestrials looked down on the earth anticipating the results of this monumental moment.

Projected before their very eyes was the livestream of the SpaceX launch, avatars assembled from all corners of the metaverse and beyond to see this event unfold! Full of excitement, and anticipation leading to the big moment. The scene was set in a dusty orange terrain, various hues of orange envelop this Somnium World. Grand mountains form off in the background, as the main attraction stood boldly in the foreground! A replica of the Starship designed by Artific, founder of Oasis Meta Games, stood tall and enormous. This Multiverse is home to many amazing and wonderful worlds to explore and play in, such as the one before the spectators in mid-April.

Watching from the platform the Somnium Community onlooked and watched the stream from start to finish. Conversations were in the air, as the rocket launched off! A cheer for the successful launch and jaws dropping as they witnessed the vessel burst into flames! A memory of all memories to be marked in their minds.

We spoke with Somnium local Ultra Lord to see his perspective of the event,” “Exhilarating! Watching such an awesome feat of human accomplishment exploding and toppling through the air, simply incredible. I am glad that even though it crashed it was able to successfully launch and the SpaceX team were able to gather monumental amounts of data! Looking forward to the next launch and humanity’s giant leap into space!”

Despite the fall, SpaceX has big plans for the largest rocket in history! The 400-foot-tall vessel of unprecedented scale is planning another launch in the near months, possibly as soon as 6 to 8 weeks (about 2 months)! Though hopes to launch the Starship rocket as soon as June or July, seem to be an extremely optimistic feat. That timeline truly depends on a variety of factors which are included but not limited to, repair work, regulatory signoff, appeasing environmental standards, and the completion of another prototype. Though met with some adversity and push back SpaceX is sure to see another launch through. It is only a matter of time before the vessel will rise again!

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Anora
Somnium Times Social Media Manager, and singer/songwriter.
Connect with her on https://www.instagram.com/thisisanora/ and https://twitter.com/thisisanora