KXXV-TV News Channel 25 - Central Texas News and Weather for Waco, Temple, Killeen | SpaceX Rattles Central Texas

SpaceX Rattles Central Texas

By Eric Gemmell

MCGREGOR - Just minutes before 10:30 Saturday night residents living in a twenty mile radius of McGregor heard and saw a loud explosion south of town.

SpaceX had all systems go during its Falcon-9 rocket and engine test fire.

The space exploration company based in California applauded its success. 

But those near the epicenter of the test fire in McGregor were shaken.

"It sounded like a bomb exploding," said Stanley Thompson who lives roughly two miles away from the testing facility.

As the engines burned, the sky turned a fiery red for almost three minutes. 

The explosive sound was so loud it took many residents off guard.

"The house shook.  The windows shook.  You could feel it under your feet vibrating," added Thompson.

Saturday's launch was the fourth successful test fire of the rocket but Saturday's conditions allowed for a more vibrant and loud show.

"The weather contributed to the sound and the light carrying further," said Space X spokesperson Lauren Dryer.  She added, "We've never had complaints."

Dryer said SpaceX followed all protocol surrounding Saturday's mission.

"We notified police, fire, and the city of McGregor.  We even went a few extra steps further and put it on the high school marque and in the McGregor Mirror."

Officials for SpaceX said they will make a point informing the public well in advance of any future tests and inviting the media to the events.