Watch | Elon Musk’s SpaceX Starship explodes during static fire test at the launch site; video goes viral |

Elon Musk SpaceX’s Starship prototype hit another roadblock after an explosion during a routine static fire test, with footage of the blast releases going viral quickly on social media. The dramatic explosion video releases occurred while the rocket was anchored to the ground for engine tests, sending flames and smoke across the launch site. Although the test was uncrewed, the incident has reignited public and industry concerns over the reliability of the Starship system, which is central to Musk’s vision of transporting humans to the Moon and Mars. SpaceX has yet to confirm the exact cause of the failure.

SpaceX Starship explodes during engine test; viral video shows fiery blast at launch site

During the latest test, a fierce explosion burst at the base of the Starship, spewing flames and smoke out across the test area. The exact cause is being investigated, but the blast brought renewed attention to the chronic challenges SpaceX has experienced with the Starship program.This isn’t the first time SpaceX’s Starship has suffered from catastrophic failures. Indeed, this test comes after a string of publicity-grabbing explosions, including during launchpad attempts. Earlier this year, the Super Heavy booster and Starship spacecraft were destroyed in a test flight—representing the third failure in a row in the development process.The most recent explosion happened on the ninth test flight of the almost 400-foot-tall two-stage rocket system, which has been at the heart of SpaceX’s ambitions for human deep space travel, including future lunar and Martian missions.

What is a static fire test

A static fire test is a standard process performed to gauge rocket engine performance with the spacecraft securely fixed to the ground. A controlled firing enables engineers to gauge engine thrust, fuel systems, and structural integrity under actual conditions without the hazards of an actual launch.

What happened during the latest SpaceX launch explosion

As per SpaceX’s livestream, the Super Heavy first-stage booster exploded a few seconds after liftoff, and the second-stage Starship suffered a catastrophic fuel leak in mid-air. This made it spin out of control before breaking apart on reentering the atmosphere. The spacecraft, like with earlier tests, was not crewed. Even after the dramatic failure, SpaceX insisted that every test produces valuable engineering data. The company asserts that these test flights are the most important to refining the spacecraft’s intricate systems.

Elon Musk SpaceX’s Starship Program another setback

SpaceX’s Starship program has hit another setback in 2025, after a string of high-profile test failures. The recent engine test explosion is the latest in a long list of problems for Elon Musk’s ambitious space craft. Two Starship test flights earlier this year crashed in spectacular mid-air explosions, one over the Caribbean Sea and one over the Atlantic Ocean.In May, another attempt at launching SpaceX failed when the rocket went haywire out of control and blew up in the Indian Ocean. These recurring events have raised close examination by regulatory agencies. Every failure of a Starship has prompted official probes by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). They tend to lead to temporary airspace closures and additional safety inspections before the next launch can go ahead. SpaceX will now have to collaborate closely with regulators to identify the reason for the latest failure and take corrective action.

Mars mission timeline now uncertain

The Starship vehicle, a 403-foot-tall, all-reusable rocket—is a foundation of Elon Musk’s plan to make human colonization of Mars possible. The next scheduled flight was supposed to be a major milestone: the first launch off a reused Super Heavy booster, an important step toward reducing the cost of launch and going more frequently to space.SpaceX originally had planned on a June 29 launch, but that is now in question. The company is assessing the extent of the damage and reviewing test procedures to avoid similar incidents in the future.

SpaceX’s Starship remains key to deep space goals despite setbacks

Starship continues to be an integral part of Elon Musk’s long-term vision for space. As a totally reusable vehicle, the enormous rocket will transport people and cargo to Earth orbit, the Moon, and ultimately to Mars. Its successful launch would transform space travel by significantly reducing the price tag for access to space.Although the latest blast contributes to public doubt, SpaceX has experience with threats of iterative failure. The firm has learned from previous failures, which in the past assisted it in reworking the formerly problematic Falcon 9 into a commercial powerhouse. In spite of the obvious setbacks, SpaceX is determined to continue to advance aerospace innovation and exploration. Engineers will be required to study the static fire test in detail and make design or procedure adjustments prior to the next test. With NASA’s Artemis program relying on a variant of Starship to send astronauts to the Moon, the stakes have never been higher to succeed. Whether or not SpaceX is able to surmount these technical challenges will probably dictate how soon humanity advances beyond low-Earth orbit and further into the universe.Also Read | NASA astronauts prepare ‘space sushi’ aboard the ISS in zero gravity during a heartwarming crew celebration