Yet another SpaceX rocket has come to a catastrophic end, exploding while sitting on the launch pad.
This marks the fourth unsuccessful SpaceX rocket attempt in a row for Elon Musk. The most recent, in May, broke up on reentry. The previous two rockets ended in explosions, showing the many locations, including the Caribbean, with debris.
This situation has seen the planned Starship 10 explode while sitting on the launch platform. The first of two explosions occurs near the tip of the rocket, and a second rips the entire structure to pieces from the base.
The liquid oxygen and high-energy methane fuel contained within the rocket ignited, causing an enormous fireball. A monitoring camera captured the whole incident from afar. The statement released by SpaceX about the explosion states, “The tenth flight test experienced a major anomaly while on a test stand at Starbase.”
No Casualties, Bar the Environment
Thankfully, the area around the SpaceX rocket was clear of any people when the explosion occurred. SpaceX was quick to reassure people that despite the destruction, nobody was hurt. “A safe, clear area around the site was maintained throughout the operation, and all personnel are safe and accounted for.”
it's really sad. pic.twitter.com/3pJZabLwBG
— AshutoshShrivastava (@ai_for_success) June 19, 2025
However, the environmental impact of the various failed SpaceX rockets is something to note. In the last two years, Elon Musk has launched nine Super Heavy Starships. Of those, only three have been partially successful. The first three exploded, and the last three followed suit. This marks the tenth explosion, although this rocket was simply sitting in its cradle in Starbase.
Each of these failures rains debris down onto Earth and into the oceans. There are little to no repercussions for polluting water and natural environments with the various oils, metals, and chemicals required to send these rockets into space, or not into space, as the recent results suggest.
Millions in US funding are going into Elon Musk’s personal space project, and so far, all we have been seeing are catastrophic SpaceX rocket explosions. Many are beginning to ask how many more failures he can get away with before funding is cut.