A SpaceX Starship experienced a major mishap, erupting into flames even before it could begin its scheduled ground test. The incident took place at the company’s Starbase facility in Texas during preparations for what would have been the vehicle’s 10th test flight.
The spacecraft, identified as Ship 36, exploded while still mounted on its stand. The blast occurred shortly after the company conducted a test of the forward flap and just ahead of a planned static fire test. According to SpaceX, the event happened around 9:30 AM IST on June 19 and is being described as a “significant anomaly.”
Fortunately, all SpaceX personnel remained safe, as a secure perimeter had been established around the test area. Local authorities also confirmed that there is no threat to the surrounding community, although residents have been advised to avoid the site. Officials attributed the explosion to a “catastrophic failure,” and an investigation is now underway to determine the exact cause.
Starship is SpaceX’s next-generation launch vehicle, designed to carry heavier payloads and support ambitious missions, including lunar and Mars expeditions. However, the vehicle is still in its testing phase and has faced several setbacks.
In previous flights, the second stage of the rocket referred to as the “Ship” was destroyed during ascent on more than one occasion. The most recent ninth test, which took place in May, showed some progress as the second stage reached space. However, the company lost contact with it before it could safely splash down in the ocean. Similarly, the booster stage, known as Super Heavy, broke apart during re-entry after losing communication six minutes post-launch.
This latest incident underscores the challenges SpaceX continues to face as it works toward making Starship a fully reusable and reliable heavy-lift system for future space missions.
