SpaceX’s Starship Raptor Engine Blows Up During the Test Weeks Ahead of the Fourth Flight

Multiple witnesses report that a Starship Raptor engine exploded during today’s raptor testing at the McGregor test site in Texas.

According to local media, a powerful explosion was seen during the test, with flames engulfing the tower. At the moment, SpaceX or Elon Musk have not officially commented.

NASASpaceflight broadcasted the incident on their YouTube channel.

The explosion was initially caused by an engine anomaly, which led to a secondary explosion caused by vapours in the air igniting. So far, no injuries have been reported.

The test started at around 4:12 p.m. local time and looked to proceed normally as the smoke from the firing blocked the camera view. As the smoke cleared 14 seconds post ignition, the engine had shut off, and the test seemed to have concluded. However, immediately after the smoke clouds dissipated, a fire started to blow out from the bottom of the pad where the rocket engine’s nozzle emits flame. 

Despite the incident, it’s not yet clear whether the Starship IDF-4 flight, which uses Raptor engines, will be postponed. Recently, Elon Musk posted on X, that the launch rehearsal for Starship Flight 4 is complete. Elon Musk also confirmed readiness for launch in two weeks.