SpaceX’s preparations for its highly anticipated tenth Starship test flight took a fiery turn on Wednesday night, as “Ship 36” — the vehicle designated for the mission — exploded during a static fire test at the company’s Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas.
The incident occurred at approximately 9 p.m. PT / 12 a.m. ET on June 18. SpaceX reported a “major anomaly” during a routine engine firing sequence on the test stand. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, as a safety perimeter had been established in advance to ensure the safety of all personnel. The company is currently working with local authorities to secure and stabilize the site.
Although an official cause has yet to be confirmed, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk mentioned on X (formerly Twitter) that initial data suggests a nitrogen COPV in the payload bay failed below its proof pressure — a first for this specific design.
Videos of the explosion quickly made their way online, depicting Ship 36 engulfed in flames, a sight that SpaceX and spaceflight enthusiasts often refer to as a “Rapid Unplanned Disassembly” (RUD).
SpaceX had been eyeing a late June launch window for Starship Flight 10, with recent successful single-engine static fire tests showing promising progress. However, the loss of Ship 36 poses a setback to SpaceX’s plans for Starship’s development, potentially delaying Flight 10 and future orbital tests. This flight was anticipated to build upon recent successes as SpaceX refines its fully reusable launch system.
While setbacks are common in rocketry, the explosion serves as a stark reminder of the intricacy involved in SpaceX’s ambitious endeavors. With increased oversight and investigations expected — both internally and from the FAA — it may be some time before Starship is cleared for future flights.
As SpaceX navigates through this setback, the company is likely to focus on understanding the root cause of the explosion and implementing necessary changes to prevent similar incidents in the future. The path forward for Starship’s development may be challenging, but SpaceX remains dedicated to pushing the boundaries of space exploration.