A Starship prototype exploded on the ground, causing significant damage to a SpaceX test site. No injuries were reported, but this incident could delay the program. The next flight was expected very soon.
SpaceX continues its development of the Starship, a giant rocket designed to transport humans to the Moon and beyond. In June 2024, the company impressed with a successful test flight, during which the entire ship returned to Earth without exploding. This was a first. A few months earlier, a previous flight had ended in a spectacular explosion during atmospheric reentry. These incremental successes marked a turning point after several unsuccessful attempts.
The static test of the Ship 36 prototype was intended to prepare for the tenth test flight of Starship. On June 18 at 11 p.m. (local time), an explosion occurred approximately 30 minutes after the start of propellant filling, before the engines had even been ignited. The craft was still attached to the ground. This immediately started a fire, which lasted several hours. Live video feeds showed persistent flames at the Massey, Texas, site, as well as the response of firefighters. The test was intended to validate the lighter and more efficient “V2” version of the spacecraft.
The explosion of the Starship 36 prototype severely damaged the SpaceX test site
SpaceX confirmed that no injuries were reported, as the area was evacuated as planned. However, the material damage appears to be significant. The test center, used for ground tests, is crucial for preparing each launch. Images released by NASA Spaceflight show the violence of the explosion and the affected infrastructure. This incident seriously complicates the test schedule, especially since it comes after three others during previous Starship flights in 2025.
The tenth test flight was scheduled to take place in the coming weeks. But without a functioning test center, SpaceX may have to temporarily halt its operations at Starbase. This further delays the arrival of the “V3” version of Starship, which Elon Musk has announced will be capable of flying weekly within a year. The program is moving forward, but ground failures show that challenges remain, even without engine firing.
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