In a dramatic turn of events, a Starship rocket experienced a significant explosion during a test at a facility in Texas late Wednesday night. This incident occurred just as preparations were underway for the rocket’s tenth test flight, raising questions about the future of this ambitious space program.
According to the company, all personnel involved in the test are safe and accounted for, with no reported hazards to nearby communities. An initial investigation indicated that the explosion was likely due to a malfunction in a pressurized tank, specifically a composite overwrapped pressure vessel located in the rocket’s nosecone.
The explosion resulted in damage to the surrounding area of the test stand, but fortunately, there were no injuries reported. Prior to the incident, the area had been cleared in anticipation of a static fire test involving the rocket’s six Raptor engines.
The implications of this explosion on the development timeline of the Starship rocket system remain uncertain. Recent communications from regulatory authorities suggested that the tenth test flight could have been scheduled for late June, but this timeline is now likely to be pushed back as the team investigates the cause of the explosion.
In a response to the incident, the CEO of the company remarked that he views the situation as merely a minor setback. This perspective reflects the company’s resilient approach to overcoming challenges in their ambitious space exploration endeavors.
Over the past few years, significant resources have been dedicated to the development of the Starship, which stands at an impressive 171 feet tall, along with its powerful 232-foot booster. The company has expressed optimism that this year will be pivotal for the program, especially following recent approvals that have increased the number of permissible launches.
However, the Starship has faced numerous challenges this year, including multiple failures during test flights. The rocket experienced an explosion during its seventh test flight in January, followed by another failure in March, and yet another setback during its ninth test in May.
Despite these challenges, the most recent flight in May did see the rocket progress further than its predecessors, although it still failed to deploy the dummy satellites intended for testing, which is a critical component of the company’s plans to enhance its satellite internet service.
The CEO has reiterated the company’s goal of launching a Starship to Mars by 2026, estimating a 50/50 chance of achieving this ambitious target. Additionally, plans are underway for a larger version of the Starship, which could potentially take flight within the year.
This article has been updated with the latest information regarding the cause of the explosion as provided by the company.