Texas, June 19, 2025 — A SpaceX Starship prototype exploded late Wednesday at the Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas, during a routine static fire test, according to the company and local authorities. The incident, which occurred around 11 p.m. local time, produced a massive fireball visible from miles away but resulted in no injuries.
SpaceX confirmed that the vehicle had “experienced a major anomaly” while on the test stand in preparation for its tenth planned flight. The company emphasized that a safety perimeter had been in place and personnel were evacuated before the test. Local emergency services were alerted, surrounding roads were closed, and SpaceX is now assessing the site with authorities.
This marks the fourth major Starship setback this year, following failed test flights in January, March, and May. Despite these challenges, SpaceX remains committed to its goal of making Starship a reusable vehicle capable of missions to the Moon and Mars.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the company has shifted resources toward fixing the prototype and prioritizing Starship ahead of its planned mission to support NASA’s Artemis program. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has not publicly commented on the latest incident.
The explosion is expected to delay the upcoming test flight, initially scheduled for June 29. SpaceX has reiterated that there is no risk to nearby communities and has urged the public to avoid the facility until safety measures are fully restored.
