On June 18, 2025, SpaceX’s Starship prototype, designated Ship 36, suffered a dramatic explosion during a routine static fire test at its Starbase facility in Texas. Ignited just after 11 p.m. local time, the blaze produced a massive fireball and sparked secondary fires, though no injuries were reported . Local residents described hearing a loud rumble that shook nearby homes.

The explosion marks another setback for SpaceX, delaying the planned tenth test flight of the Starship program . Previous Starship prototypes - including flights 7, 8, and 9 - also ended in failure this year, underscoring the challenges of perfecting the vehicle’s heavy-lift systems . SpaceX has not yet issued an official statement on the incident, but investigations are underway alongside emergency protocols at the site.

Despite repeated explosive failures, company leadership - including Elon Musk - remains committed to rapid iteration, framing each incident as a step toward a goal of achieving reusable space travel to the Moon and Mars.