Elon Musk wasn’t the only famous face in the control room at SpaceX’s Starship flight on Saturday. As the mega-rocket fell out of communications while climbing toward space, the SpaceX livestream showed Elon Musk and his brother, Kimbal Musk, waiting for a signal from Starship. And then, there was a surprising sight when Kimbal Musk appeared on camera holding a blond toddler who looked strikingly like Elon Musk’s 3-year-old son, X Æ A-12.
It was an unusual moment given the custody dispute between Elon Musk and his partner, Grimes, over their three children. This contentious situation comes amid Musk’s quiet lawsuit against Grimes, accusing her of trying to “circumvent jurisdiction” of Texas courts. In response, Grimes counter-sued for physical custody of their children and a restraining order to prevent either parent from moving the children without permission.
During the Starship launch, the toddler, believed to be X Æ A-12, had a front-row seat to the intense situation at SpaceX. However, the flight itself ended in disappointment as Starship exploded just before reaching a position to glide around the planet. This marked the rocket’s second failed attempt to fly to space, circle Earth, and return to splash down in the ocean.
The images of Musk’s son, X Æ A-12, in the launch control room, amid a custody dispute with Grimes, have sparked widespread speculation and interest in this high-profile family matter.