Elon Musk’s SpaceX faced another major setback as a Starship prototype exploded during a static fire test at its Starbase facility in Texas. The incident, which occurred late Wednesday night, was captured in dramatic footage showing a powerful blast erupting from the rocket’s base, engulfing the area in flames and thick smoke.
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Local authorities confirmed the explosion, stating that no injuries were reported. An investigation is now underway to determine what triggered the failure. The explosion occurred during a critical engine systems check ahead of the vehicle’s planned tenth flight test, originally scheduled for June 29.
This is hardly the first Starship mishap. SpaceX’s Starship program has suffered multiple setbacks, including three failed test flights earlier this year. In those attempts, both the super heavy booster and the Starship upper stage vehicle were destroyed — with causes ranging from fuel leaks to loss of control during reentry. The towering 400-foot Starship system is central to Musk’s long-term vision of transporting humans to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
Despite the recurring failures, SpaceX has consistently framed each mishap as a valuable data-gathering opportunity. Company officials say these incidents help engineers refine the Starship system’s design and improve reliability for future flights. Still, this latest explosion could delay SpaceX’s next planned test flight as teams assess damage and address safety concerns at Starbase.
BREAKING: SpaceX Starship explodes during static fire test pic.twitter.com/ChTSKp3KIO
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It’s another reminder that while SpaceX’s ambition pushes boundaries, the path to deep-space travel is fraught with risk. The company has yet to confirm a revised timeline for the tenth test flight, but observers will be watching closely as the Starship program presses forward amid mounting technical challenges.
