A planned engine test of SpaceX’s Starship prototype ended in a large explosion at the company’s launch site in Texas. The incident happened late on June 18 during a static fire test involving Ship 36.
These tests are typically done to check the engines while the rocket stays on the ground. But this time, it resulted in a fireball that was seen from several miles away.
Local residents reported loud booms and strong vibrations, with some saying their windows rattled. Video clips from the scene showed flames shooting into the air, followed by thick smoke.
Thankfully, SpaceX confirmed that all workers were safe and that no one was hurt.
This isn’t the first time Starship has faced problems. Several previous tests in 2025 ended in explosions, either during the flight or as the rocket returned to land.
After this latest failure, SpaceX has paused future Starship tests for the time being. A major flight test originally scheduled for later this month has also been delayed.
Emergency services were alerted, and local authorities asked people living nearby to report any damage. Investigations are underway to find out what caused the blast.
Despite the setback, SpaceX says it’s still committed to the Starship project. The next version, called Starship V3, is in development and is expected to include major upgrades.
Starship is a key part of the company’s plan to carry people to the Moon and Mars, but incidents like this show the challenges that come with building powerful new rockets.
SpaceX Explodes in Epic Way During Test Flight
— Black Hole (@konstructivizm) February 20, 2025
The ship lost contact with the center and self-destructed minutes after launch. Aircraft in the Gulf of Mexico changed course to avoid Starship debris. pic.twitter.com/Qcg0mm8vX8
Falcon 9 Missions Stay on Track as SpaceX Faces New Challenges
While the Starship program hits a pause, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rockets continue to operate without issues. On June 16, one Falcon 9 rocket launched 26 Starlink satellites into orbit from California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base.
This was the 200th Falcon mission from that location, and the booster returned safely to a landing platform at sea.
Another Falcon 9 lifted off from Florida on June 18, carrying 28 more satellites for the company’s Starlink internet network. That booster also landed as planned, showing the rocket’s proven success in delivering payloads and reusability.
These back-to-back missions highlight how important Falcon 9 remains to SpaceX’s daily operations. In fact, the company recently completed its 500th Falcon-class mission — a major milestone in commercial spaceflight.
These reliable launches continue to grow the Starlink network, which aims to provide internet access in remote areas around the world.
However, SpaceX may soon face new financial pressure. A recent proposal from Senator Ted Cruz suggests that private space companies like SpaceX should pay launch fees. The idea is to support federal oversight of space launches. If approved, the policy could mean more than $1 million in new annual fees for SpaceX, depending on how many rockets it launches.
In other news, SpaceX is preparing for Axiom Mission 4 — a private mission to the International Space Station. The launch, originally set for earlier in June, was pushed back due to issues with the rocket’s oxygen system and some problems on the ISS. The new launch date is now expected to be June 22. Four astronauts are scheduled to fly, including Shubhanshu Shukla from India.
Even with Starship grounded for now, SpaceX continues moving forward with its proven Falcon rockets, and its long-term vision for deep space travel remains unchanged.
