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SpaceX’s Starship 36, intended for the company’s tenth test flight, was destroyed in a massive explosion during a static fire test at the Starbase facility in Texas, late Wednesday night, June 18, at approximately 11:01 p.m. CT. The incident, which occurred during preparations for a critical engine test, marks another setback for SpaceX’s ambitious Starship program, designed to enable human missions to the Moon and Mars. No injuries were reported, and SpaceX is now working with authorities to investigate the cause.

The explosion occurred just before a scheduled static-fire test, a routine procedure where the rocket’s engines are ignited while the vehicle remains secured to the ground. Video footage from NASASpaceflight and LabPadre livestream cameras captured a sudden rupture near the rocket’s nose, followed by a massive fireball and thick plumes of black smoke engulfing the test stand (as shown in the linked videos below). Debris was scattered across the Massey’s testing facility, though the extent of damage to the test site infrastructure remains unclear.

Full length video of Ship 36's testing anomaly: pic.twitter.com/cbtIasAuf7

— LabPadre Space (@LabPadre) June 19, 2025

_{Featured Image Source: Courtesy of LabPadre via X & YouTube}

SpaceX confirmed the incident in a statement on X, noting, “A safety clear area around the site was maintained throughout the operation, and all personnel are safe and accounted for.” The company added that there are no hazards to nearby communities and urged residents not to approach the area during ongoing safety operations.

NOoooOoooO!! what happened?! https://t.co/yprFEvXj7q

— Evelyn Janeidy Arevalo (@JaneidyEve) June 19, 2025

SpaceX founder Elon Musk commented on the incident early Thursday morning, suggesting a possible cause. In a reply on X, Musk stated, “Preliminary data suggests that a nitrogen COPV [Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessel] in the payload bay failed below its proof pressure. If further investigation confirms that this is what happened, it is the first time ever for this design.” This nitrogen tank pressure failure, if confirmed, would represent an unexpected issue, as such components are rigorously tested to withstand high pressures.

The Starship program, central to SpaceX’s goal of developing a fully reusable rocket system, has faced multiple challenges in 2025. Despite the Rapid Unscheduled Disassembly, Musk downplayed the incident’s severity in his characteristic style, posting on X, “Just a scratch.” This aligns with SpaceX’s “fail fast, learn fast” philosophy, which views test failures as opportunities to refine the rocket’s design in order to speed up its development.

Just a scratch

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 19, 2025

The planned Flight 10, initially targeted for late June, is now indefinitely delayed as engineers assess the damage and determine necessary modifications. Local authorities, including the Cameron County Constable Precinct 1, confirmed the explosion and noted that emergency protocols were quickly enacted. The Brownsville Fire Department responded to the scene, and no immediate injuries were reported. SpaceX is coordinating with local officials to secure the test site and surrounding areas.

The Starship, standing at 403 feet when paired with its Super Heavy booster, is the most powerful rocket ever developed. Despite its mixed record, with only partial successes in earlier test flights, SpaceX remains committed to rapid development to meet its ambitious goals. The company’s next steps will likely involve analyzing telemetry data from Ship 36 to confirm the cause of the explosion and implement fixes before resuming testing.

Author’s note: Thanks for reading Cosmic Chronicles. Write your thoughts in the comment section below. If you have story suggestions or feedback, Direct Message me on social media 𝕏: Evelyn Janeidy Arevalo @JaneidyEve. Read the most recent stories featured below. Thank You.