A SpaceX rocket being examined in Texas exploded Wednesday evening (June 18), sending a dramatic fireball excessive into the sky. Thus far, no experiences from the corporate cite accidents to workers or locals. Like social media customers, Elon Musk reacted to footage of the explosion on his platform X, previously Twitter.
In response to the rocket incident, the corporate stated the Starship “skilled a serious anomaly” at about 11 p.m. On the time, the rocket was on the take a look at stand. It was making ready for the tenth flight take a look at at Starbase, SpaceX’s launch website situated on the southern tip of Texas
“A security clear space across the website was maintained all through the operation and all personnel are protected and accounted for,” SpaceX stated in a press release on the social platform X.
This picture offered by rocketfuture.org reveals a SpaceX rocket explodes at Starbase, SpaceX’s launch website on the southern tip of Texas late Wednesday, June 18, 2025. (rocketfuture.org by way of AP)
Moreover, the assertion stated the Starbase workforce “is actively working” to make sure the protection of the take a look at website and the encircling space. Nonetheless, it additionally famous no hazards to residents in surrounding communities. Nonetheless, SpaceX is asking people to not try to strategy the realm whereas safing operations proceed.
On Wednesday, June 18 at roughly 11 p.m. CT, the Starship making ready for the tenth flight take a look at skilled a serious anomaly whereas on a take a look at stand at Starbase. A security clear space across the website was maintained all through the operation and all personnel are protected and accounted…
In the meantime, Elon Musk racked up 13,000 reactions on X when he tweeted“Only a scratch” following the explosion.
One other account that shares spaceflight, rockets, and expertise content material responded to Elon with the phrase, however included pictures of Elon posing at what seems like totally different explosions and take a look at fails. It’s unclear if any of the photographs signify Elon on the website of Wednesday’s incident. Once more, the SpaceX CEO responded casually, “Room for enchancment,” in citation marks.
Different Incidents Associated To Starship Rockets
Wednesday’s explosion marked the most recent in a collection of incidents involving Starship rockets. On Jan. 16, one of many large rockets broke aside in what the corporate referred to as a “fast unscheduled disassembly.” That incident despatched trails of flaming particles close to the Caribbean. Two months later, throughout a March 6 take a look at flight, SpaceX misplaced contact with one other Starship because the spacecraft broke aside. Wreckage might be seen streaming over Florida.
Then, on March 27, one of many 403-foot Starship rockets launched from the southern tip of Texas tumbled uncontrolled and broke aside.
SpaceX had hoped to launch a collection of mock satellites following liftoff, however that plan was nixed as a result of the door didn’t open all the best way. The spacecraft then started spinning and made an uncontrolled touchdown within the Indian Ocean. On the time, Elon Musk referred to as the launch “a giant enchancment” from the 2 earlier demos. Musk additionally promised a a lot quicker launch tempo shifting ahead, with a Starship hovering each three to 4 weeks for the subsequent three flights.
Related Press Employees contributed to this report by way of AP Newsroom.