SpaceX Rocket Launch Failure – EXPLOSION VIDEO (also featuring SpaceX Apparel)

On the night of June 19, SpaceX experienced a significant setback during a routine static-fire test at its Starbase facility in Texas. The upper stage of the Starship launch vehicle, known as “Ship,” exploded while undergoing ground testing at the Massey site. The incident occurred around 11 p.m. CDT and was captured on video, showing a sudden flash followed by a massive fireball. Fortunately, all personnel were confirmed safe, and a safety perimeter had been maintained throughout the procedure.

The explosion marks the latest in a series of challenges for the upper-stage Ship, which also suffered failures during its previous three flight attempts in January, March, and May 2025. The static-fire test is a critical procedure where engines are briefly ignited while the vehicle is held stationary, typically to validate system readiness for flight.

While SpaceX CEO Elon Musk downplayed the event on social media—calling it “just a scratch”—the anomaly highlights the complexity and risk involved in developing fully reusable heavy-lift launch systems. The exact cause of the explosion has not yet been disclosed, and SpaceX has not confirmed a date for the long-anticipated 10th Starship flight test.

Starship, consisting of the Super Heavy first-stage booster and the Ship upper stage, is central to SpaceX’s ambitions for lunar and Mars missions. Although the vehicle remains in a developmental phase, repeated failures of the upper stage could delay program milestones. Investigations are underway, and SpaceX is cooperating with local authorities to ensure site safety and determine root causes.