A fiery setback struck SpaceX’s launch facility in Texas, where a Starship vehicle, known as Ship 36, exploded during ground preparations for its upcoming flight test. The incident occurred on Wednesday night while the spacecraft was on a test stand at Starbase, the company’s private site near Boca Chica.
SpaceX confirmed the explosion, describing it as a “major anomaly” during a fueling operation. Ship 36 was loaded with liquid oxygen and methane, two volatile propellants used to power the rocket when things went wrong.
Two distinct blasts were captured in footage released by LabPadre, a platform that closely monitors activities at Starbase. The now-viral video shows an explosion near the rocket’s nose and another blast along its left side.
The dramatic fireball lit up the night sky. However, SpaceX quickly reassured the public that safety protocols had been followed, saying in a social media post, “A safety clear area around the site was maintained throughout the operation and all personnel are safe and accounted for.”
There were no reports of injuries, and SpaceX noted that there were no immediate threats to nearby residents. However, it advised the public to steer clear of the area while safety measures and cleanup efforts continue.
The timing of the explosion is a blow to SpaceX’s momentum. Ship 36 had been slated for its first launch attempt at the end of June. Having done several launches in the past, the month-end launch would mark its tenth major flight test. That launch was set to pair the spacecraft with a massive Super Heavy booster.
Though SpaceX has seen multiple breakthroughs with the Starship system, a fully reusable rocket designed to carry humans and cargo to the Moon and Mars, the road has been far from smooth. Past tests have included a mix of explosions, partial successes, and one flight that reached trajectory before disintegrating during reentry.
