Facepalm: SpaceX was getting ready its Starship rocket for a tenth flight check – initially scheduled for June 29 – when it exploded throughout a static fireplace on the Starbase launch website in Texas shortly after 11 pm MT on Wednesday. The launch timeline is now unclear following the incident.
A video shared by NASA Spaceflight reveals a strong explosion lighting up the Texas night time sky throughout what was speculated to be a routine engine check. Cameron County officers confirmed the incident and stated nobody was injured. Native legislation enforcement has launched a proper investigation to find out the trigger.
ANOMALY! Simply earlier than Ship 36 was set to Static Fireplace, it blew up at SpaceX Masseys!
Stay on X and YT:https://t.co/GPjZIX1Zyd pic.twitter.com/CfZhDeSGae
– NSF – NASASpaceflight.com (@NASASpaceflight) June 19, 2025
In a put up on X, SpaceX stated it was getting ready the rocket for its tenth check flight when it skilled “a serious anomaly” whereas mounted to the launch arm. The corporate did not disclose the character of the problem however confirmed that every one personnel on the base had been protected and accounted for.
SpaceX added that there is not any rapid risk to close by residents however suggested folks to keep away from Starbase whereas cleanup operations are underway. Officers are carefully monitoring air high quality and security within the surrounding space to make sure no hazards come up. Cleanup crews are working to safe the positioning and assess any environmental affect brought on by the explosion.
On Wednesday, June 18 at roughly 11 p.m. CT, the Starship getting ready for the tenth flight check skilled a serious anomaly whereas on a check stand at Starbase. A security clear space across the website was maintained all through the operation and all personnel are protected and accounted…
– SpaceX (@SpaceX) June 19, 2025
In the previous few hours, Elon Musk weighed in on the incident with a collection of posts on X. He initially dismissed the explosion as “only a scratch” however later defined that preliminary investigations confirmed “a nitrogen COPV within the payload bay failed under its proof strain,” inflicting the catastrophic failure.
Preliminary knowledge suggests {that a} nitrogen COPV within the payload bay failed under its proof strain.
If additional investigation confirms that that is what occurred, it’s the first time ever for this design.
– Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 19, 2025
Starship has beforehand caught fireplace throughout routine testing. Final month, it exploded throughout its ninth check flight, following comparable failures in January and March. These repeated setbacks spotlight the continued challenges SpaceX faces in perfecting the rocket’s design. Since April 2023, Starship has launched 9 occasions – 4 successes and 5 failures.
SpaceX is creating Starship as a multi-purpose rocket system to move folks and gear to the Moon and help human colonization of Mars. Final month, Elon Musk stated the corporate will launch its largest Starship later this 12 months and confirmed his purpose to land on Mars by 2026 regardless of current explosive setbacks.
