Elon Musk SpaceX’s Starship prototype hit another roadblock after an explosion during a routine static fire test, with footage of the blast releases going viral quickly on social media. The dramatic explosion video releases occurred while the rocket was anchored to the ground for engine tests, sending flames and smoke across the launch site. Although the test was uncrewed, the incident has reignited public and industry concerns over the reliability of the Starship system, which is central to Musk’s vision of transporting humans to the Moon and Mars. SpaceX has yet to confirm the exact cause of the failure.

SpaceX Starship explodes during engine test; viral video shows fiery blast at launch site

During the latest test, a fierce explosion burst at the base of the Starship, spewing flames and smoke out across the test area. The exact cause is being investigated, but the blast brought renewed attention to the chronic challenges SpaceX has experienced with the Starship program.This isn’t the first time SpaceX’s Starship has suffered from catastrophic failures. Indeed, this test comes after a string of publicity-grabbing explosions, including during launchpad attempts. Earlier this year, the Super Heavy booster and Starship spacecraft were destroyed in a test flight—representing the third failure in a row in the development process.The most recent explosion happened on the ninth test flight of the almost 400-foot-tall two-stage rocket system, which has been at the heart of SpaceX’s ambitions for human deep space travel, including future lunar and Martian missions.

What is a static fire test

A static fire test is a standard process performed to gauge rocket engine performance with the spacecraft securely fixed to the ground. A controlled firing enables engineers to gauge engine thrust, fuel systems, and structural integrity under actual conditions without the hazards of an actual launch.

What happened during the latest SpaceX launch explosion

As per SpaceX’s livestream, the Super Heavy first-stage booster exploded a few seconds after liftoff, and the second-stage Starship suffered a catastrophic fuel leak in mid-air. This made it spin out of control before breaking apart on reentering the atmosphere. The spacecraft, like with earlier tests, was not crewed. Even after the dramatic failure, SpaceX insisted that every test produces valuable engineering data. The company asserts that these test flights are the most important to refining the spacecraft’s intricate systems.

SpaceX’s Starship remains key to deep space goals despite setbacks

Starship continues to be an integral part of Elon Musk’s long-term vision for space. As a totally reusable vehicle, the enormous rocket will transport people and cargo to Earth orbit, the Moon, and ultimately to Mars. Its successful launch would transform space travel by significantly reducing the price tag for access to space.Although the latest blast contributes to public doubt, SpaceX has experience with threats of iterative failure. The firm has learned from previous failures, which in the past assisted it in reworking the formerly problematic Falcon 9 into a commercial powerhouse. In spite of the obvious setbacks, SpaceX is determined to continue to advance aerospace innovation and exploration. Engineers will be required to study the static fire test in detail and make design or procedure adjustments prior to the next test. With NASA’s Artemis program relying on a variant of Starship to send astronauts to the Moon, the stakes have never been higher to succeed. Whether or not SpaceX is able to surmount these technical challenges will probably dictate how soon humanity advances beyond low-Earth orbit and further into the universe.Also Read | NASA astronauts prepare ‘space sushi’ aboard the ISS in zero gravity during a heartwarming crew celebration