A SpaceX Starship rocket experienced a major anomaly and exploded during a routine test at the company’s Starbase facility in Texas on Wednesday night, June 18. The incident, which resulted in a large fireball and fire, occurred around 11 p.m. CT while the Starship (identified as Ship 36) was on a test stand preparing for its 10th flight test. SpaceX reported that all personnel were safe and accounted for, with a safety clear area maintained around the site.
What Happened During the Test?
The explosion was visible on a livestream covering the SpaceX facility. Footage showed a fireball originating from the top of the Starship vehicle before the explosion’s brightness overwhelmed the camera feed. Following the initial event, a significant fire burned at the test site for approximately two hours. Debris was scattered in the immediate vicinity.
SpaceX confirmed the incident via a statement on social media, describing it as a “major anomaly.” The company stated that its team was working with local officials to secure the test site and surrounding areas. They also assured the public that there were “no hazards to residents in surrounding communities” but advised people not to approach the affected area.
Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX, commented on the incident via social media platform X, stating, “Just a scratch,” and also posting, “RIP Ship 36.”
Context: Recent Starship Test Flights
This explosion marks another setback in the development and testing of the Starship rocket, which SpaceX intends to use for crewed missions to the Moon and Mars. The program has involved a series of test flights, some of which have ended in anomalies or unexpected outcomes.
The most recent flight prior to this incident was the ninth flight test in May. During this mission, the Starship briefly reached space but experienced issues during re-entry. The spacecraft spun out of control and broke apart over the Indian Ocean. SpaceX noted that the planned deployment of eight simulator satellites did not occur because the spacecraft’s doors failed to open fully.
Thumbnail showing SpaceX Starship breaking apart during uncontrolled re-entry on a test flight over the Indian Ocean
SpaceX characterized the Flight 9 event as a “rapid unscheduled disassembly” and highlighted that the mission marked a milestone with the first flight-proven Super Heavy booster returning to Starbase. Data review from that flight was ongoing as preparations for the tenth flight test proceeded.
Prior to Flight 9, the eighth test flight in March also ended with an explosion during its late stage. After the Super Heavy first-stage booster landed successfully, the Starship vessel experienced engine issues, leading to an uncontrolled spin and breakup. SpaceX stated this was caused by “an energetic event” affecting several engines.
Thumbnail depicting debris streaking across the sky after a SpaceX Starship Flight 8 test explosion
The March explosion of Flight 8, which reached an altitude of nearly 150 kilometers, resulted in debris visible across the sky and temporarily disrupted air traffic, including flights at Orlando International Airport.
The seventh test flight in January also resulted in the destruction of the Starship spacecraft. That mission ended after a planned booster catch back at the launch pad. SpaceX again referred to this as a “rapid unscheduled disassembly.” Ground control lost communication with the ship approximately eight-and-a-half minutes into the mission.
Thumbnail showing falling debris near Turks and Caicos from a SpaceX Starship Flight 7 test failure
Debris from the Flight 7 incident was reported near the Turks and Caicos Islands, leading some airlines to divert flights. Elon Musk shared a video of the falling debris online, commenting on the unpredictable nature of such tests.
What Happens Next?
SpaceX’s Starbase team and local officials are focused on securing the site after the recent explosion. The company will investigate the cause of the “major anomaly” to understand what went wrong and inform future testing and development efforts. Despite previous test failures, SpaceX continues to iterate rapidly on the Starship design as it works towards its goal of developing a fully reusable super heavy-lift launch system. Future test flights will proceed based on the findings from this and previous incidents.
