Video of SpaceX Starship explosion: Rocket erupts during ground test in Texas
Elon Musk's SpaceX confirms Starship exploded during static fire test at Starbase; no one was injured.
An operation test by Elon Musk at SpaceX's Starbase site in Texas went sideways Wednesday night when the company's Starship prototype exploded unexpectedly, creating a massive fireball in the sky. The incident occurred just prior to midnight during a test of the ground system, just moments before the rocket was prepared for a static fire test.
Startling, yes, but all employees on site were accounted for and safe, and none of the surrounding communities were in danger, according to SpaceX case, and all Emergency crews acted quickly to secure the area, while SpaceX began working with local officials to determine cause of the explosion.
Explosion caught on livestream sparks concern online
The moment of the explosion was recorded by multiple live streams including one released by Cameron County officials. Viewers watching a NASASpaceflight feed were able to see the fireball erupt from the launchpad before clouds of thick black smoke spread across the sky. In the footage, a shocked voice says, “Oh my God,” as the scene took place.
The static fire test was supposed to ignite the rocket engines with the vehicle bolted to the test stand, a common protocol before any launch. Somewhere in there, something went wrong, leading to what SpaceX later termed a “significant anomaly.” After going white, the fireball appears in the footage, illustrating just how unpredictable space tests at an early stage can be.
SpaceX, Musk respond as investigators assess damage
On a post via X , SpaceX downplayed the occurrence with quotes from CEO Elon Musk, "It's just a scratch." The company stated that safety procedures are being implemented, and they are working with Cameron County and emergency responders to assess the damage and ensure the site is secure.
SpaceX has stated there is an investigation and did advise the public not to go near the test area; while no hazards have been reported by officials in Port Isabel, the city closest to the site, they advised people to keep watching anyway. Starship, SpaceX's next-generation rocket that will eventually take humans to Mars, has seen other tests fail beforehand - all part of Musk's "test and learn" engineering development philosophy.
