Starship Static‑Fire Test Ends in Explosive Failure
The incident triggered a massive fireball that illuminated the night sky, accompanied by a deep boom that rattled windows and prompted concern among South Texas residents. Local emergency services and SpaceX teams responded swiftly to contain the blaze, which smouldered for over two hours after the blast.
Ship 36 had undergone a single‑engine static fire on June 16 and was being loaded with liquid methane and oxygen for a six‑engine ignition when it suffered catastrophic failure. While details remain scarce, video feeds captured an initial eruption near the nose section, followed by a secondary blast near the vehicle's side, culminating in a fiery detonation that obliterated the test stand.
ADVERTISEMENT
SpaceX characterised the event as a 'rapid unscheduled disassembly,' reiterating that safety protocols functioned as intended. The company confirmed through its X account that the site was secured, all employees were safe, and there was no impending risk to surrounding residential zones.
The explosion delivers a significant blow to SpaceX's high‑tempo test programme. Ship 36 was central to the upcoming tenth integrated flight test, tentatively scheduled for late June, following FAA notices suggesting a launch window around 29 June. The blast is now expected to delay that timeline.
Ship 36 is part of a succession of upper stage prototypes built with lessons from earlier failures. This spring, Ship 33 was lost mid‑flight, and Ship 34 disintegrated after engine shutdowns. Ship 35 achieved flight but was lost during re‑entry in Flight 9 on May 27 due to attitude control issues over the Indian Ocean.
Despite these setbacks, SpaceX continues to follow its iterative testing model—'fail fast, learn fast'—to refine design and reliability for the massive Super Heavy–Starship system. In statements after previous explosions, CEO Elon Musk has noted that such events are part of the development process and maintain optimism about achieving high‑frequency launches.
The blast's impact on Starbase infrastructure remains unclear. Initial reports indicate that fires continued well into the early hours of Thursday, but the structural and logistical damage to test‑stand facilities has not yet been quantified. SpaceX has deployed teams alongside local authorities to secure the site and begin assessments.
Ship 36's loss will likely compel SpaceX to adjust schedules for its Artemis lunar programme and the planned orbital Starship missions. The starship upper stage is slated to act as the Human Landing System for NASA's Artemis 3 lunar landing mission in 2027, and delays in prototype testing could compress the development timeline.
SpaceX's core objective remains unchanged: delivering fully reusable launch systems to support deep‑space missions, including human travel to Mars by the mid‑2020s. The firm is progressing with development of a 'V3' Starship design, intended to enable weekly launches next year. Ship 36 represented the refined 'V2' design, offering increased propellant capacity, lower mass and improved system redundancy.
Local communities were warned to avoid the perimeter while recovery operations continue. The Federal Aviation Administration has signalled strong regulatory backing, recently granting Starbase approval for up to 25 launches and 50 landings annually.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
5 hours ago
- The National
Trump executive order cuts red tape for space rocket launches
US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to ease regulations for space companies launching rockets and carrying out missions. The directive, called Enabling Competition in the Commercial Space Industry, asks federal agencies including the US Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to speed up the review process for space flight licences and remove outdated regulations. It also asks the Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, to 'eliminate or expedite' environmental reviews for launch and re-entry licences and permits. Such regulations have proven to be a challenge for billionaire Elon Musk and his SpaceX company. The Trump administration said the goal of the executive order, signed on Wednesday, was to make the US a more competitive player in the global space industry. 'By slashing red tape tying up spaceport construction, streamlining launch licences so they can occur at scale and creating high-level space positions in government, we can unleash the next wave of innovation,' said Mr Duffy, who also serves as acting Nasa administrator. 'At Nasa, this means continuing to work with commercial space companies and improving our spaceports' ability to launch." Fast track to launch The Trump administration has historically advocated reducing regulatory barriers and expediting approval processes, especially for industries it considers critical to the country, including as aerospace and defence. Last year, Mr Musk threatened to sue the FAA after it proposed issuing $633,009 worth of penalties to SpaceX for failing to follow licence requirements during two of its launches in 2023. Despite the row between Mr Trump and Mr Musk, SpaceX could benefit most from the executive order, with plans to test its deep-space rocket Starship more frequently. Earlier this year, SpaceX was awarded permission by the FAA to increase launches of the powerful rocket to 25 each year. The directive would also benefit start-ups developing launch technology. Environmental concerns The order also led to opposition from environmental groups, who warned it could weaken protection for wildlife near launch sites. Jared Margolis, of the Centre for Biological Diversity, said the directive 'paves the way for the massive destruction of protected plants and animals". It called the move reckless and said it "puts people and wildlife at risk from private companies launching giant rockets that often explode and wreak devastation on surrounding areas". Race with China Mr Trump's efforts to boost the private space industry would also help the country in the race to the return to the Moon, amid competition form countries including China. Nasa relies on space companies to achieve the goals of its Artemis Moon programme and broader ambitions in the sector. The agency's plan to send astronauts to the lunar language for the first time since the Apollo era will only be possible when SpaceX completes its Starship human landing system. The mission is scheduled to take place on 2027. China also has plans for a human landing mission on the Moon before 2030. Last week, its space agency completed a critical landing and take-off test of its crewed lunar lander.
The National
5 hours ago
- The National
Trump executive order launches move to relax US space rocket rules
US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to ease regulations for space companies launching rockets and carrying out missions. The directive, called Enabling Competition in the Commercial Space Industry, asks federal agencies including the US Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to speed up the review process for space flight licences and remove outdated regulations. It also asks the Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, to 'eliminate or expedite' environmental reviews for launch and re-entry licences and permits. Such regulations have proven to be a challenge for billionaire Elon Musk and his SpaceX company. The Trump administration said the goal of the executive order, signed on Wednesday, was to make the US a more competitive player in the global space industry. 'By slashing red tape tying up spaceport construction, streamlining launch licences so they can occur at scale and creating high-level space positions in government, we can unleash the next wave of innovation,' said Mr Duffy, who also serves as acting Nasa administrator. 'At Nasa, this means continuing to work with commercial space companies and improving our spaceports' ability to launch." Fast track to launch The Trump administration has historically advocated reducing regulatory barriers and expediting approval processes, especially for industries it considers critical to the country, including as aerospace and defence. Last year, Mr Musk threatened to sue the FAA after it proposed issuing $633,009 worth of penalties to SpaceX for failing to follow licence requirements during two of its launches in 2023. Despite the row between Mr Trump and Mr Musk, SpaceX could benefit most from the executive order, with plans to test its deep-space rocket Starship more frequently. Earlier this year, SpaceX was awarded permission by the FAA to increase launches of the powerful rocket to 25 each year. The directive would also benefit start-ups developing launch technology. Environmental concerns The order also led to opposition from environmental groups, who warned it could weaken protection for wildlife near launch sites. Jared Margolis, of the Centre for Biological Diversity, said the directive 'paves the way for the massive destruction of protected plants and animals". It called the move reckless and said it "puts people and wildlife at risk from private companies launching giant rockets that often explode and wreak devastation on surrounding areas". Race with China Mr Trump's efforts to boost the private space industry would also help the country in the race to the return to the Moon, amid competition form countries including China. Nasa relies on space companies to achieve the goals of its Artemis Moon programme and broader ambitions in the sector. The agency's plan to send astronauts to the lunar language for the first time since the Apollo era will only be possible when SpaceX completes its Starship human landing system. The mission is scheduled to take place on 2027. China also has plans for a human landing mission on the Moon before 2030. Last week, its space agency completed a critical landing and take-off test of its crewed lunar lander.
Arabian Post
a day ago
- Arabian Post
Samsung secures $16.5bn deal to manufacture Tesla's AI6 chips in Texas
Samsung Electronics has secured a significant contract with Tesla, valued at $16.5 billion, to produce the electric vehicle manufacturer's next-generation AI6 chips. The chips will be manufactured at Samsung's advanced fabrication facility in Taylor, Texas, marking a pivotal development in both companies' strategic plans. The eight-year agreement, confirmed by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, is set to commence in 2025 and extend through 2033. This deal represents a substantial commitment from Tesla to Samsung's foundry capabilities, particularly as the semiconductor industry faces increasing demand for advanced chips. The AI6 chips are designed to power Tesla's Full Self-Driving systems, the Optimus humanoid robot, and future robotaxi fleets. This move follows Tesla's decision to discontinue its in-house Dojo supercomputer project, redirecting focus towards optimized chip design and external partnerships for AI infrastructure. ADVERTISEMENT Samsung's Taylor facility, supported by $6.4 billion in U. S. CHIPS Act funding, will utilize the company's 2-nanometer process technology to manufacture the AI6 chips. This collaboration aims to enhance Samsung's foundry business, which has faced challenges in recent years, and to position the company as a competitive player in the advanced semiconductor market. While the deal is a strategic win for Samsung, it also presents challenges. The production of 2nm chips is complex, and achieving high yield rates is critical. Additionally, the financial terms of the contract suggest that Samsung may initially operate at a loss, viewing the deal as an investment in long-term growth and industry positioning. The partnership with Tesla is expected to bolster Samsung's position in the global semiconductor industry, particularly in competition with Taiwan's TSMC, a dominant player in the foundry market. The success of this venture will depend on the effective scaling of production capabilities and the ability to meet Tesla's stringent performance requirements.
