One of SpaceX’s Starship rockets exploded late Wednesday night on a test stand at the company’s facility in Texas, as preparations were underway for the rocket system’s tenth test flight. Reports Technology News
In a statement shared on X, SpaceX confirmed that “all personnel are safe and accounted for,” and assured the public that “there are no hazards to residents in surrounding communities.” A follow-up update on Thursday revealed that the cause of the explosion was likely a failure in a pressurized component—specifically a composite overwrapped pressure vessel (COPV) located in the Starship’s nosecone.
The blast, which occurred during preparations for a “static fire” test of the vehicle’s six Raptor engines, caused notable damage to the test stand area. However, no injuries have been reported, thanks in part to safety measures that ensured the area was cleared prior to the engine test.
The incident introduces uncertainty around the timing of the program’s next major milestone. A recent FAA advisory had indicated that the tenth orbital test flight could have taken place as soon as June 29. That timeline will now likely shift as SpaceX investigates the failure and implements any necessary changes.
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk appeared to downplay the incident in a post on X, calling the explosion “just a scratch.”
The Starship program is central to SpaceX’s long-term goals, including missions to the Moon and Mars, making this latest setback one the company will be eager to overcome quickly.
