The rocket exploded into a huge ball of flames.(Pic: Screengrab @BNONews) Elon Musk’s SpaceX faced another setback after its Starship vehicle dramatically exploded during a static fire test in Texas on Wednesday. A video of the blast went viral on social media, showing a powerful eruption from the base of the spacecraft during what was meant to be a routine engine test. Local law enforcement confirmed the explosion and said that no injuries had been reported. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the incident. BREAKING: SpaceX Starship explodes during static fire test pic.twitter.com/ChTSKp3KIO— BNO News (@BNONews) June 19, 2025 Recommended Stories The incident occurred during routine checks on the spacecraft’s engines while it was stationary. In the footage, a powerful blast erupts from the base of the rocket, engulfing the surrounding area in flames and smoke. Previous Setbacks Earlier, SpaceX’s Starship launch system faced another major setback as both the super heavy booster and Starship spacecraft exploded during a test flight — the third consecutive failure for Elon Musk’s ambitious space program. The uncrewed mission was the ninth test flight of the nearly 400-foot-tall stacked rocket, which previously suffered similar fates in January and March. Developed to transport cargo and humans around Earth, to the Moon, and eventually to Mars, the Starship system remains central to Musk’s long-term space exploration goals. top videos