CRBC News
Culture
Society
Security
Health
Conflict
Science
Technology
Politics
Environment
Lifestyle
Economy

Starship V3 Booster Collapses During Texas Test, Could Slow NASA Moon Plans

During an early-morning test at SpaceX's Starbase in Texas, the first-stage Starship V3 booster buckled and vented a cloud of gas, a failure captured on live video. The booster had been undergoing checks of redesigned propellant plumbing and structural strength. SpaceX and NASA did not immediately comment, and it is unclear whether another V3 prototype is available or how long the incident might delay planned lunar missions. The event highlights the risks and potential schedule impacts of SpaceX's rapid test-to-failure development approach.

02:38 AM, 11/22/2025Science
Starship V3 Booster Collapses During Texas Test, Could Slow NASA Moon Plans

A first-stage booster built for SpaceX's upgraded Starship (V3) collapsed during an early-morning pad test at the company's Starbase complex in south Texas. The failure occurred at about 4 a.m. CT and was captured on a zoomed-in live feed by SpaceX observers LabPadre, which showed the booster suddenly buckling and expelling a cloud of gas from its sides—consistent with a pressure-related rupture of the vehicle's skin.

SpaceX had moved the stainless-steel booster to the test stand the previous day to evaluate redesigned propellant plumbing and the rocket's structural strength. Neither SpaceX nor NASA had immediately commented on the incident.

What happened

Footage shows the booster deforming rapidly and venting gas, suggesting a localized overpressure event or a structural failure in the outer skin. The vehicle was the first prototype of the Starship V3 design, which SpaceX says includes several changes intended to support future lunar missions.

Why it matters

The mishap could complicate efforts to validate systems tied to planned multibillion-dollar lunar flights that aim to return humans to the Moon. Starship is a central element of those missions, and the development program faces pressure to advance quickly amid growing international competition. SpaceX normally follows a fast-paced, test-to-failure development approach and cycles through multiple booster iterations, but it was unclear whether another V3 prototype is available or how long testing might be delayed.

Starbase has experienced prior test failures, including a June explosion that sent debris across the U.S.-Mexico border and created diplomatic friction. Such incidents can affect schedules, safety reviews, and regulatory clearance for future flights.

By Joey Roulette

Similar Articles

Trending