SpaceX Starship explodes at Starbase, Texas SpaceX posted on X: "On Wednesday, June 18 at approximately 11 p.m. CT, the Starship preparing for the tenth flight test experienced a major anomaly while on a test stand at Starbase. A safety clear area around the site was maintained throughout the operation and all personnel are safe and accounted for. Our Starbase team is actively working to safe the test site and the immediate surrounding area in conjunction with local officials. There are no hazards to residents in surrounding communities, and we ask that individuals do not attempt to approach the area while safing operations continue." The day before, on June 17, SpaceX posted video on X of a "single-engine static fire demonstrating an in-space burn" as Starship prepared for its 10th flight test. What caused SpaceX Starship explosion? “Preliminary data suggests that a nitrogen COPV in the payload bay failed below its proof pressure,” SpaceX founder Elon Musk said in a post on X. “If further investigation confirms that this is what happened, it is the first time ever for this design."