Big explosion rocks SpaceX's Mcgregor base during engine test
Within seconds, the flames intensified, culminating in a powerful explosion that engulfed the structure in smoke and fire. (Photo: X/NSFSpaceflight) Eyewitnesses and livestream footage captured the moment
It is believed to be a next-generation Raptor 3 unit
The cause of the blast remains under investigation
A big explosion shook SpaceX's McGregor testing facility in Texas on Wednesday, as engineers put the company's latest Raptor engine through its paces on the newly commissioned Raptor South test stand.
The incident, which occurred during a routine static fire test, resulted in a dramatic fireball and a rapid response from emergency crews, who quickly extinguished the blaze.
Eyewitnesses and livestream footage captured the moment the Raptor engine, believed to be a next-generation Raptor 3 unit, completed its firing sequence before an unexpected fire erupted beneath the test stand. WATCH SPACEX EXPLOSION DURING TESTING
Within seconds, the flames intensified, culminating in a powerful explosion that engulfed the structure in smoke and fire.
The cause of the blast remains under investigation, but early indications point to either a catastrophic engine failureâ€'known in the industry as a 'Rapid Unscheduled Disassembly' (RUD)â€'or a malfunction in the test stand's ground system equipment (GSE), which manages the flow of propellants and other critical systems.
Methane and oxygen, the primary propellants used in Raptor engines, are highly volatile. Experts suggest that a leak or combustion anomaly may have allowed these gases to mix and ignite, triggering the explosion. Fortunately, the facility's safety protocols and firefighting systems worked as intended, bringing the fire under control within minutes.
SpaceX has not issued an official statement regarding the extent of the damage or the impact on its Starship program, which relies on the Raptor engine family for upcoming launches.
However, industry observers note that such incidents, while dramatic, are not uncommon during the development of cutting-edge rocket technology. The company's rapid testing philosophy often accepts occasional failures as part of the iterative process to improve engine reliability and performance.
No injuries were reported.
A big explosion shook SpaceX's McGregor testing facility in Texas on Wednesday, as engineers put the company's latest Raptor engine through its paces on the newly commissioned Raptor South test stand.
The incident, which occurred during a routine static fire test, resulted in a dramatic fireball and a rapid response from emergency crews, who quickly extinguished the blaze.
Eyewitnesses and livestream footage captured the moment the Raptor engine, believed to be a next-generation Raptor 3 unit, completed its firing sequence before an unexpected fire erupted beneath the test stand. WATCH SPACEX EXPLOSION DURING TESTING
Within seconds, the flames intensified, culminating in a powerful explosion that engulfed the structure in smoke and fire.
The cause of the blast remains under investigation, but early indications point to either a catastrophic engine failureâ€'known in the industry as a 'Rapid Unscheduled Disassembly' (RUD)â€'or a malfunction in the test stand's ground system equipment (GSE), which manages the flow of propellants and other critical systems.
Methane and oxygen, the primary propellants used in Raptor engines, are highly volatile. Experts suggest that a leak or combustion anomaly may have allowed these gases to mix and ignite, triggering the explosion. Fortunately, the facility's safety protocols and firefighting systems worked as intended, bringing the fire under control within minutes.
SpaceX has not issued an official statement regarding the extent of the damage or the impact on its Starship program, which relies on the Raptor engine family for upcoming launches.
However, industry observers note that such incidents, while dramatic, are not uncommon during the development of cutting-edge rocket technology. The company's rapid testing philosophy often accepts occasional failures as part of the iterative process to improve engine reliability and performance.
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