Watch: SpaceX Starship explodes in massive fireball during 'routine' test, no injuries reported

A SpaceX rocket erupted into flames during a routine test at the company’s facility in Texas late Wednesday night, halting preparations for its next Starship launch.

The explosion took place around 11pm at Elon Musk’s Starbase testing site in Texas, as Ship 36 was undergoing a static fire test - a crucial procedure where engines are fired while the rocket remains secured to the ground. The test serves as a final systems check before flight.

Video footage captured the moment the rocket’s nose violently burst open, filling the screen with a bright flash before flames engulfed Ship 36. No injuries were reported, but the incident has raised new questions about the timeline for SpaceX's next launch attempt.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), SpaceX said that the Starship preparing for the tenth flight test experienced a major anomaly while on a test stand at Starbase

SpaceX said there was no threat to nearby communities and urged the public to stay away from the site. The company is now coordinating with local authorities to assess the incident and determine next steps.