Outlook Business Desk
SpaceX, led by CEO Elon Musk, faced another setback on June 18 as a Starship prototype exploded during a routine ground test at its Starbase facility in southern Texas, dealing a fresh blow to its Mars exploration plans.
Starship 36 exploded shortly after 11 PM during a static fire test—a routine engine firing while the rocket stays anchored. The incident marks another major failure in SpaceX’s efforts to develop a Mars-ready launch system.
Social media footage captured the dramatic moment Starship 36 exploded—a bright flash followed by a massive fireball engulfing the rocket, which was secured to the launch tower during the static fire test.
SpaceX acknowledged the incident on Social Media Platform, saying Starship 36 encountered “a major anomaly while on a test stand at Starbase.” While the cause wasn’t revealed, it stressed that safety protocols were followed and all personnel are safe.
Authorities assured that there is no danger to nearby communities following the explosion. They urged the public to stay away from the site as “safing” operations—meant to secure the area—are still ongoing.
The blast adds to a growing list of issues in SpaceX’s Starship program. The 123-meter rocket, built to carry 150 tonnes and enable future Mars missions, remains central to Elon Musk’s space ambitions despite repeated test failures.
Starship’s latest failure adds to a troubling trend. A recent flight ended in breakup over the Indian Ocean, while May’s test saw the booster explode during descent. Earlier attempts also failed mid-flight, raising reliability concerns.
Despite repeated failures, SpaceX sticks to its “fail fast, learn fast” approach. A recent success includes catching the Super Heavy booster with robotic arms — a major engineering feat aimed at cutting costs and speeding up future launches.