SpaceX launched an upgraded version of its Starship rocket booster in South Texas on Thursday to begin testing, and just a few hours later, something inside it exploded.
Live streamers watching SpaceX’s Starbase complex up close captured the explosion in the pre-dawn hours Friday around 4:00 a.m. local time. Other creators in the area have since taken photos that provide a closer look at the damage.
Unlike the more fireball-like explosions SpaceX has dealt with in the past while developing its rockets, this one appears to have blown off an entire side of the lower part of the booster — leaving the rest of it standing. It also happened very early in the process. The booster didn’t even have rocket engines installed yet, according to Ars Technica.
The booster was the first major part of what SpaceX refers to as Starship version three, or “V3.” Starship V3 is supposed to be bigger, more powerful, more reliable and capable of docking other starships in Earth orbit – a crucial part of SpaceX’s plan to get to the Moon and Mars. (The company flew the final V2 design in October.)
SpaceX and Elon Musk have not yet commented on the explosion. The company did not respond to a request for comment Friday.
It’s not immediately clear what kind of impact the explosion might have on SpaceX’s next steps. But any significant delay to its test program could jeopardize SpaceX’s overall plans.
The company is targeting a very busy 2026 for Starship. That includes demonstrating the ability to transfer fuel to the Starship from a “tanker” version of the rocket while in orbit. SpaceX must prove this capability to NASA before it can proceed with manned missions to the Moon, which it is reportedly aiming for in 2028.
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Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy has already criticized SpaceX for not moving fast enough on its lunar mission progress, and has said he might give Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin a chance to take the contract instead.
Blue Origin is increasing the pace of developing its own mega rocket. Last week, the company launched its New Glenn rocket for the second time and delivered its first commercial payload to NASA. The company also landed its first New Glenn rocket booster. On Thursday, the company unveiled an even larger design for the New Glenn that will more directly compete with Starship.