The Starship 36 spacecraft exploded around 11:00 p.m. (local time) this Wednesday (June 18) during a static fire test at the Massey facility, located in Starbase, a city built specifically for SpaceX operations in the far south of Texas.
+ Click here to watch the slow-motion explosion video
The spacecraft was part of the preparations for the tenth flight of the Starship program, scheduled to take place by the end of this month.
In the released footage, the spacecraft can be seen on its launch pad, and moments after engine ignition, a massive explosion occurs, engulfing the structure in flames. Emergency teams were quickly dispatched to the site.
In a statement, SpaceX confirmed that Starship 36 “experienced a serious anomaly” during the test. “A clear safety zone was maintained around the site throughout the operation, and all personnel are safe and accounted for,” the company reported.
SpaceX also stated that its team at Starbase is working to ensure the safety of the site and surrounding areas, in partnership with local authorities. “There are no risks to residents of nearby communities, and we ask that people do not attempt to approach the area while safety operations are ongoing,” the company added.
So far, Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, has not publicly commented on the incident.
The explosion comes just a few months after Starbase was officially recognized as a city, a move approved by local residents in May of this year. The initiative, led by Elon Musk, aims to transform the location into a hub dedicated to space exploration.
Covering about 3.9 square kilometers along the U.S.–Mexico border, Starbase houses SpaceX headquarters, rocket production facilities, and the main launch pad for the Starship vehicle. The city is expected to be primarily populated by engineers, technicians, and company personnel.
Photo and video: x @NASASpaceflight | @spacex. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
