Company SpaceX started restoring the test site Masseys in the complex Starbase, injured as a result of the prototype explosion Starship 36 and the subsequent fire, which lasted for several hours. The incident occurred on June 18, 2025, while preparing for a static fire test.
According to SpaceX, the cause of the accident was high pressure nitrogen tank malfunction (COPV) in the payload bay. The system collapsed at a pressure below the design pressure, causing an explosion on the test bench. The company has officially confirmed that as a result of the incident there were no injuries among the staff.
The fire that followed the explosion engulfed part of Masseys ' infrastructure, including fuel systems, gas outlets, and ground-based technical installations. At the moment, the damage is assessed as significant. The company does not disclose details about the technical consequences and the extent of damage.
The Masseys test facility plays a key role in preparing for reusable Starship flights and is regularly used for bench testing of individual stages. The explosion became narrower the fourth major failure of the Starship program since the beginning of 2025: previous test launches in January, March and May also resulted in the destruction of aircraft.
Despite a series of failures, SpaceX announced its intention to continue testing after the restoration work is completed. Currently, the time frame for resuming activity at the landfill not disclosedHowever, construction equipment is already working on site, and the staff has started dismantling damaged elements and installing new technical blocks.
The Starbase complex in Texas remains the flagship facility for the implementation of the Starship program, aimed at creating a super-heavy launch vehicle and a reusable transport system for flights to the Moon and Mars.
