Overview

• The explosion occurred during a routine static fire test at Starbase, Texas, on June 19, with no reported injuries.
• The vehicle was preparing for Starship’s tenth flight test, which is now likely to face delays pending investigation.
• Starship stands 123 meters tall as the largest and most powerful rocket ever built, central to Musk’s Mars plans and NASA’s Artemis lunar missions.
• This marks the fourth major Starship failure this year, following explosions in January, March and May.
• The FAA approved an increase in the rocket’s annual launch frequency, signaling continued regulatory backing despite ongoing technical challenges.