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A massive first-stage booster for an upgraded SpaceX Starship rocket experienced a testing failure early Friday morning in Texas, which could hinder the company’s efforts to demonstrate the rocket’s moon-landing capabilities for NASA. Witnesses who captured the incident on video reported seeing the booster suddenly buckle and release a cloud of gas, indicating an explosion that compromised its exterior.
SpaceX had transported the enhanced stainless steel Super Heavy booster to its Starbase testing facility on Thursday, aiming to evaluate its redesigned fuel systems and structural integrity. The test, conducted around 4 a.m. CT, was part of ongoing development, which included testing prior to assessing the booster’s strength. A company statement confirmed an “anomaly during gas system pressure testing” but assured that no injuries occurred.
The mishap occurred before the company could proceed with testing the rocket’s structural capabilities. SpaceX indicated that further investigation is necessary before determining the root cause. The specific booster involved was the first of the Starship V3 series, an iteration featuring numerous new design elements aimed at supporting lunar missions.
The incident likely delays plans to launch the booster and the accompanying Starship upper stage early next year—a key step in the company’s 12th Starship demonstration flight since 2023. The V3 version of Starship was slated for a February 2026 launch but may face setbacks due to Friday’s failure.
SpaceX’s facilities in South Texas have experienced multiple explosions during testing, including a significant booster fireball in June that sent debris across the U.S.-Mexico border and spurred political tensions with the Mexican government. With NASA pushing for rapid progress in the Moon program, which aims to land humans on the lunar surface before China achieves a similar milestone around 2030, setbacks like this could impact the timeline for Starship’s role in future lunar landings.
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