A SpaceX Starship rocket exploded into a massive fireball late Wednesday night during preparations for an engine test at the company’s Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas, SpaceX said in a statement on X.
The explosion occurred around 11 p.m. CT during what was supposed to be a routine static fire test—an engine trial conducted while the rocket remains secured to the ground. According to SpaceX, the incident resulted in a "major anomaly," but no injuries were reported, and all personnel were accounted for.
"On Wednesday, June 18, the Starship preparing for the tenth flight test experienced a major anomaly while on a test stand at Starbase," SpaceX said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). "A safety clear area around the site was maintained throughout the operation, and all personnel are safe and accounted for."
CEO Elon Musk also addressed the incident on X, assuring that there were no hazards to nearby communities and urging people to stay clear of the site while “safing operations” are underway. "Please do not approach the area while the site is being secured," Musk added.
Local officials confirmed that the explosion happened during pre-test checks and emphasized that safety protocols had been strictly followed.
The Starship rocket, which SpaceX has been developing as part of its ambitious plan to enable crewed missions to Mars, was being prepared for its tenth test flight. Designed to be the most powerful rocket ever built, Starship is central to the company’s long-term vision of space exploration, including future NASA missions and potential commercial space travel.
While setbacks are not uncommon in the high-risk world of rocketry, this explosion marks a significant hiccup in SpaceX’s testing schedule. The company said its teams are now working closely with local authorities to secure the site and assess the damage.
