On June 18, 2025, SpaceX’s Starship 36 exploded during a static fire test at Starbase in South Texas, marking a significant setback for the ambitious rocket program. The explosion occurred around 11 p.m. local time and was attributed to a “major anomaly.” Fortunately, no one was injured, and the incident raised concerns about the future of SpaceX’s plans for upcoming missions.
Starship, touted as the world’s largest and most powerful launch vehicle, is designed for human spaceflights to the Moon and Mars. It is composed of a 232-foot Super Heavy booster and a 171-foot upper stage, both intended for reusability for various missions, including cargo transport and NASA’s lunar exploration initiatives.
While preparing for its 10th flight since 2023, SpaceX had already conducted a successful single-engine test earlier that week but was gearing up for a full six-engine test when the explosion occurred. Initial assessments from Musk suggested a failure in a nitrogen pressurized tank may have contributed to the mishap.
Despite the latest catastrophe, SpaceX is focused on increasing Starship launches, having received regulatory approval for up to 25 flight tests annually. Musk envisions that an uncrewed Starship could reach Mars by the end of 2026, with crewed missions to follow soon after.
However, further testing is essential to ensure the spacecraft can fly safely and refuel in orbit—a complex maneuver not yet achieved. Previous test flights in 2025 had also faced failures, with earlier materializations leading to dramatic explosions shortly after launch. As SpaceX investigates Starship 36’s failure, the company continues to pursue its long-term goals amidst the challenges it faces.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image of the presented article.
