SpaceX Starship 36 Explodes During Test in Texas – No Injuries Reported

A SpaceX Starship rocket exploded in a huge fireball during a routine static fire test at the company’s Starbase facility in Texas. The dramatic explosion shocked locals and raised new safety questions after a series of failed launches in 2025.

The rocket, Starship 36, was not meant to launch but to undergo a ground engine test. This process involves firing up the rocket’s engines while it stays firmly secured to the launch pad.

Footage shared online shows the rocket standing in the dark with smoke coming from its base. Suddenly, a bright white light flashes near the top of the rocket. Then, massive flames and black smoke cover the area.

The blast caused a huge fireball. A wave of heat and smoke spread across the test site. After a few seconds, the rocket was no longer visible—only flames and wreckage remained.

Emergency crews rushed to the scene immediately. The local government in Port Isabel, Texas, confirmed that a “spacecraft anomaly” occurred and asked residents to report any damage to their homes.

Many locals said the explosion shook their houses. Some reported hearing loud bangs and feeling their windows rattle. No injuries were reported, according to officials.

A static fire test checks engine function before a rocket launch. The rocket is held to the ground, and its engines are fired for a few seconds.

SpaceX planned to launch the next Starship mission on June 29, but the explosion could cause delays.

This is not the first time SpaceX has faced setbacks. In January, another rocket exploded minutes after liftoff. In March, a mid-air blast scattered debris into the ocean. Just last month, the bottom part of a Starship fell into the Gulf of Mexico.

These repeated failures have sparked criticism and raised doubts about SpaceX’s testing strategy.

Elon Musk, founder of SpaceX, has not yet commented on this latest failure. The company has suspended upcoming launches while an investigation begins.