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SpaceX Starship Explodes on Test Stand Ahead of 10th Flight

Recent mishaps coincide with the introduction of Starship Block 2, a more powerful configuration of the rocket.

Thursday, June 19, 2025 at 09:56 AM ET

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SpaceX’s Starship rocket has flown three times but suffered four anomalies in 2025. [Courtesy: SpaceX]

Key Takeaways:

SpaceX's Starship suffered a "major anomaly" and explosion on a test stand during a static fire test, delaying its planned tenth flight.
This incident is the latest in a series of setbacks for Starship this year, following three previous test flights that experienced failures or anomalies, though one did reach orbit.
The ongoing failures are expected to significantly delay critical objectives, including the propellant transfer demonstration needed for NASA's Artemis III moon mission and Elon Musk's ambitions for landing on Mars.

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SpaceX’s massive Starship rocket suffered failures on its past three test flights in January, March, and May. And the setbacks keep coming.

Ahead of a 6-engine static fire test Wednesday evening, Starship “experienced a major anomaly while on a test stand,” SpaceX wrote on X. Video captured by NASASpaceflight cameras shows the rocket bursting into flames, creating an explosion that Ars Technica reported could be seen and heard as far as 30 miles away.

Jack is a staff writer covering advanced air mobility, including everything from drones to unmanned aircraft systems to space travel—and a whole lot more. He spent close to two years reporting on drone delivery for FreightWaves, covering the biggest news and developments in the space and connecting with industry executives and experts. Jack is also a basketball aficionado, a frequent traveler and a lover of all things logistics.