X releases Starship like animation to celebrate SpaceX-xAI merger

The social media platform X (formerly Twitter) has introduced a new Starship launch animation for the “Like” button, symbolizing the SpaceX and xAI merger.

When users tap the like icon on a post, a SpaceX Starship rocket now appears on screen, launching upward and flying in a smooth arc around the heart icon before fading away with a trail of sparkling stars.

The old like animation was simple: a red heart filled in, accompanied by a few floating hearts or sparkles. The new version replaces this with a space-themed sequence. The Starship rocket is shown in detail, with its stainless-steel body and Raptor engines visible as it lifts off.

It circles the screen briefly, leaving a glowing path, and sometimes small xAI logos or Grok-inspired particles appear alongside the stars. The entire effect lasts about two seconds and works on both mobile and desktop versions of X, but the availability might vary.

This change highlights the connection between X, SpaceX, and xAI. All three companies are led by Elon Musk. SpaceX builds rockets like Starship, which is designed for missions to Mars and beyond. xAI focuses on advancing AI technologies, with its main product being Grok, an AI assistant available to X users.

The Starship animation is not tied to specific posts or events. It shows up for every like across the platform. Users started noticing it today, and it quickly became a talking point on the social media site. Some people see it as a fun way to connect the platform to Musk’s broader goals in space exploration and AI development.

The design keeps the core purpose clear: liking still adds a red heart to the post and increases the like count. The rocket animation is an extra visual layer that does not slow down the app or interfere with normal use. X has made similar temporary changes in the past for holidays or special occasions. This one may also fade away after some time, reverting back to the heart animation.

Here’s how the new Starship like button animation looks on X.