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| source > @Jordanguidru |
Starbase, Texas – June 20, 2025
A SpaceX rocket exploded in the sky today during a test flight at Starbase, Texas. The rocket, named Starship 36, is part of Elon Musk’s Starship program, which aims to send people to the Moon and Mars.
The SpaceX Starship explosion happened just minutes after the rocket launched from the Starbase city Texas launch pad. At first, the liftoff looked normal, but soon after, the rocket began spinning and then exploded in mid-air.
No injuries were reported, as the rocket was uncrewed. Still, the dramatic failure was captured on live video and shared widely, sparking global headlines and questions about the future of the Starship program.
🔍 What Happened?
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The launch started around 8:45 AM local time.
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About 2 minutes into the flight, the rocket lost control.
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Seconds later, the Starship exploded in a large fireball over the Gulf of Mexico.
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No one was injured, as there were no people on board.
📊 What Is Starship 36?
Starship 36 is part of the next-generation Starship rocket system developed by SpaceX, the aerospace company founded by Elon Musk. It’s designed to:
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Launch large payloads into space
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Carry humans to the Moon and Mars
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Be fully reusable for future missions
Each Starship is tested individually. While Starship 36 failed, the test gives engineers data to improve the next model.
🧪 Why Do These Explosions Happen?
source > @Jordanguidru
Rocket explosions like this are not new to SpaceX. The company follows a "test, fail, learn" method.
Past rockets like Starship 9, Starship 20, and Starship 24 also exploded during testing. But each time, SpaceX engineers study the failures to fix issues and improve the next design.
According to SpaceX, this failure was likely due to an engine malfunction or flight control error.
🗣️ What Did Elon Musk Say?
After the Starship SpaceX explosion, Elon Musk posted on X (formerly Twitter):
“We learned a lot from Starship 36. This is exactly why we test. Big improvements coming in Starship 37.”
Musk has often said that failure is a step toward progress, especially in building reusable space rockets.
📍 About Starbase, Texas
Starbase is a private launch site owned by SpaceX, located in Boca Chica, southern Texas. It has become the center for Starship rocket development.
The site features launch towers, assembly facilities, and testing areas. While it has created jobs and tourism, it has also raised concerns about environmental impact due to frequent SpaceX explosions.
📈 What’s Next for SpaceX?
Despite the explosion, SpaceX is expected to continue its rapid testing schedule. The next prototype, Starship 37, may launch as soon as next month.
The company remains focused on:
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Supporting NASA's Artemis missions to the Moon
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Preparing for future human missions to Mars
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Improving rocket reusability and cost-efficiency