SpaceX’s next-generation Starship rocket program hit a major setback this week after its newly upgraded Starship V3 booster suffered a dramatic explosion during early testing in South Texas. The incident occurred just hours after the company rolled the massive booster onto the test stand at Starbase, highlighting the challenges SpaceX still faces as it pushes toward ambitious lunar and Mars missions.
Livestreamers monitoring the Boca Chica facility captured the explosion around 4:00 a.m. local time on Friday. Unlike previous fiery explosions seen during SpaceX’s development phases, this event appeared to blast open an entire section of the booster’s lower structure. Despite the violent blowout, the rest of the booster remained upright. According to Ars Technica, the rocket had no engines installed yet, indicating the explosion happened extremely early in the testing process.
SpaceX later confirmed the incident in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter). The company explained that the team was conducting “gas system pressure testing” when the failure occurred. No injuries were reported, as all personnel had cleared the area prior to the test. “The teams need time to investigate before we are confident of the cause,” SpaceX said.
The damaged booster is the first major component of Starship Version 3, an upgraded design intended to be bigger, more efficient, and capable of advanced in-orbit docking operations. These capabilities are central to SpaceX’s long-term plan to support missions to the moon, Mars, and beyond. The company previously flew its final Starship V2 design in October, making the V3 booster an important milestone for its 2026 mission roadmap.
The explosion raises questions about potential delays to Starship’s development timeline. SpaceX had been targeting a busy 2026, including a critical demonstration of transferring fuel between Starships in orbit a requirement NASA demands before approving crewed lunar missions. Any significant setback may push these goals further out.
NASA Acting Administrator Sean Duffy has already voiced concerns over SpaceX’s pace, even hinting that NASA may consider shifting more focus to Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin if necessary. Blue Origin has been accelerating its own efforts, recently launching its New Glenn rocket for the second time and landing its first booster. The company also revealed a larger New Glenn design, positioning it as a direct competitor to Starship.
As SpaceX investigates the cause of the explosion, the outcome will shape not only Starship’s immediate future but also the competitive landscape of the rapidly evolving commercial space industry.
