SpaceX presented an enhanced iteration of its Starship rocket booster in South Texas on Thursday for initial assessments, but just hours later, an internal detonation occurred.
Observers streaming live footage of SpaceX’s Starbase installation noted the event before dawn on Friday, approximately at 4:00 a.m. local time. Subsequently, local content creators have shared images providing a detailed view of the resultant damage.
In contrast to past SpaceX rocket development incidents involving fireballs, this event seems to have caused the disintegration of a complete lateral section of the booster’s lower portion — while the rest of the structure remained upright. It also took place at a very early stage. According to Ars Technica, rocket engines were not yet integrated into the booster.
SpaceX communicated via a post on X that they were conducting “gas system pressure testing” when the explosion occurred. The company affirmed that the area was secured for testing, and no injuries resulted.
“The teams require additional time for investigation to determine the definitive cause,” SpaceX posted on Friday.
This booster represented the first major component of what SpaceX designates Starship version three, or “V3.” Starship V3 is intended to offer enhanced size, power, reliability, and the capability for in-orbit Starship docking — a pivotal element in SpaceX’s strategy for lunar and Martian missions. (The last V2 design flight occurred in October.)
The potential ramifications of the explosion on SpaceX’s future actions are not immediately apparent. However, any considerable setback in its testing timeline could endanger SpaceX’s broader objectives.
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The corporation has been targeting a very demanding 2026 timeline for Starship. This encompasses demonstrating the capacity to transfer fuel to Starship from a “tanker” variant of the rocket while in orbit. SpaceX needs to substantiate this proficiency for NASA before proceeding with manned lunar expeditions, reportedly planned for 2028.
Acting NASA administrator Sean Duffy has previously voiced concerns regarding SpaceX’s pace in lunar mission advancement, suggesting he might consider offering Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin an opportunity to assume the contract instead.
Blue Origin is accelerating its own mega-rocket construction. The previous week, the company executed its second launch of the New Glenn rocket, delivering its first commercial payload for NASA. The company also successfully landed its initial New Glenn rocket booster. On Thursday, the company unveiled an even larger configuration for New Glenn, designed to compete more directly with Starship.
This article has been revised with updated information provided by SpaceX.
