A powerful explosion lit up the night sky at SpaceX’s Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas, as a Starship prototype unexpectedly erupted in flames during a ground test late Wednesday.
Just after 11 p.m. local time, the massive stainless steel rocket identified as Ship 36 experienced what the company called a “major anomaly” during a static fire test, sending shockwaves through live-streamed feeds and local observers alike.
“The Starship preparing for the tenth flight test experienced a major anomaly while on a test stand at Starbase,” SpaceX announced on its official X account.
Despite the dramatic visuals, the company quickly confirmed that the situation was under control.
“A safety clear area around the site was maintained throughout the operation and all personnel are safe and accounted for,” the statement continued. “Our Starbase team is actively working to safe the test site and the immediate surrounding area in conjunction with local officials. There are no hazards to residents in surrounding communities, and we ask that individuals do not attempt to approach the area while safing operations continue.”
Caught on Camera: Blast Stuns Viewers on Livestreams
The explosion was captured in real-time on several livestreams, including one from NASASpaceflight, which was shared by the Cameron County Constable Precinct 1. Viewers could hear a man on the stream exclaim in disbelief:
“Whoa! Whoa! No… Oh, my God.”
The caption on the video hinted at what was originally expected to be a routine event:
“SpaceX is expected to perform a static fire test of ship 36. The second in this series of testing for flight 10.”
Instead, the broadcast veered into a moment of high drama as Starship 36 failed on the stand, sending thick plumes of smoke billowing into the night sky.
Elon Musk’s Reaction? “Just a Scratch”
SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk, known for his unshakable optimism, brushed off the incident with a typically casual remark.
“Just a scratch,” Musk wrote on X early Thursday morning.
While some may view the comment as minimizing the setback, others recognize it as par for the course in the iterative and high-risk world of rocket development.
What Happens Next?
The Starship system is SpaceX’s flagship for deep space exploration, envisioned as a reusable transport vessel capable of missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. While dramatic, such failures aren’t entirely unexpected during experimental stages — especially for a program built on rapid prototyping.
This explosion marks another bump in the road for Flight 10 preparations, but it’s unlikely to deter SpaceX’s momentum. The company has made a habit of turning explosions into learning opportunities, often rebounding with fixes and faster timelines.
As of Thursday morning, Starbase teams continued working closely with local authorities to secure the site and assess damage. No further updates have been issued on whether Flight 10 will be delayed.
