19/06/2025
A SpaceX Starship prototype, Ship 36, exploded in a massive fireball during a routine static-fire test at Elon Musk’s Starbase facility in Texas late on June 18, 2025. The blast, which occurred just after 11 p.m. Central Time, was widely captured on livestreams and sent debris flying across the test site, rattling nearby homes and shocking local residents.
The explosion happened as the vehicle was being loaded with liquid oxygen and methane in preparation for a key engine test—a final systems check before the rocket’s planned tenth flight. Video footage showed two major detonations: the first near the rocket’s nose, followed by a second eruption moments later, engulfing the test stand in flames. The fireball was visible for miles, and fires continued to burn at the site for over an hour after the blast.
SpaceX, led by CEO Elon Musk, confirmed the incident as a “major anomaly” and a “catastrophic failure,” resulting in the total destruction of Ship 36 and forcing the indefinite postponement of the upcoming launch. Emergency protocols were immediately enacted, and a safety perimeter ensured that all personnel and the public remained unharmed—no injuries were reported. Local fire departments responded swiftly, and SpaceX is now working with authorities to secure the area and investigate the cause of the explosion.
Elon Musk emphasized that there was no threat to surrounding communities and urged the public to avoid the site while safety operations continue. The setback highlights the technical challenges SpaceX faces as it pursues its ambitious Starship program, which Musk describes as critical to the company’s plans for future Mars missions.