Elon Musk’s SpaceX Starship exploded during a static fire test at the company’s Starbase launch facility in Texas on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, marking a significant setback in the spacecraft’s development journey.
The explosion occurred while the rocket was being prepared for its 10th flight test, a major milestone in SpaceX’s ambitions for deep space travel. According to reports, no injuries were recorded, and all personnel at the facility remained safe.
Preliminary findings point to a major anomaly in the Raptor engine while the vehicle was on the test stand, highlighting the technical risks and intense complexity involved in rocket development.
The incident adds to growing scrutiny around SpaceX’s high-stakes Starship program, which aims to support future Moon and Mars missions.
The explosion also comes on the heels of a heated online exchange between Elon Musk and U.S. President Donald Trump on X (formerly Twitter), adding another layer of media attention to the tech mogul’s eventful week.