A SpaceX Starship rocket exploded in a fireball during a ground test late Wednesday night at the company’s Texas launch site.
The incident took place at Starbase, SpaceX’s private spaceport located at the southern tip of Texas, around 11pm local time. Cameras monitoring the site captured the dramatic moment as flames shot high into the sky.
SpaceX later confirmed the explosion, stating that the Starship “experienced a major anomaly” while undergoing a static fire test. This type of test involves firing the rocket’s engines while keeping it firmly attached to the ground.
Starship is SpaceX’s most ambitious project yet. It is the most powerful rocket ever built, designed to carry astronauts to the Moon and even Mars. However, the rocket must first pass several uncrewed tests before it can launch people into space.
The test was part of preparations for Starship’s tenth flight test, which was expected to take place later this month. SpaceX has not confirmed whether the explosion will delay that timeline.
In a statement on X, formerly Twitter, SpaceX assured the public that “a safety clear area around the site was maintained throughout,” and no injuries were reported. All personnel were confirmed safe.
The company added that their team is now working with local officials to secure the site and ensure no further risks. They also warned nearby residents to stay away from the area.
It is still unclear how much damage the blast caused to the rocket and nearby facilities.
