SpaceX Starship 36 Explodes During Static Fire Test

On the night of June 18, 2025, SpaceX's Starship prototype Ship 36 exploded during a static fire test while being fueled at the Starbase facility in Texas. The blast created a large fireball and debris but resulted in no injuries, with all personnel confirmed safe and no hazard posed to nearby communities. SpaceX, which has faced multiple Starship failures this year, stated it remains committed to rapid iteration and learning from setbacks, with CEO Elon Musk characterizing the incident as 'just a scratch' and an opportunity for improvement. The explosion is a setback for the company's plans, as Ship 36 was key for upcoming missions, and has delayed the next test flight originally targeted for late June. Local authorities and the FAA are securing the site and investigating the cause, while residents have been advised to avoid the area. Despite the incident, SpaceX continues to advance Starship's development for future Moon and Mars missions.