Elon Musk Explains Possible Causes of SpaceX Starship Rocket Explosion

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Following the recent explosion of SpaceX’s second-generation upper stage Starship rocket, CEO Elon Musk has shed light on the potential cause of the incident, which occurred late yesterday in Texas. This explosion represents another setback for the upper stage, which has yet to accomplish its full set of test objectives. SpaceX initiated the first flight of this new upper stage during Starship Flight 7 in January, subsequently attempting Flight 8 in March. Unfortunately, both flights ended in failure as the rocket’s engines did not shut down properly following separation from the first-stage Super Heavy booster.

Possible Cause of Starship’s Explosion: A Faulty Nitrogen Tank, According to Elon Musk

Starship Flight 9 showcased some advancements in the upper stage design, as it successfully shut down its engines and ascended into space before attempting atmospheric reentry. However, the rocket ultimately lost control during this phase, prompting SpaceX to specify that it would complete an uncontrolled reentry. Consequently, essential tests, including those for the heat shield and the control surfaces, as well as the hardware intended for future reuse, were hindered.

Promptly following Flight 9, SpaceX conducted tests on the Super Heavy rocket within a matter of days. They also carried out a simulated engine reignition for the second stage ship slated for Flight 10, a test that was skipped during Flight 9. As SpaceX was gearing up for a static fire test yesterday, an unforeseen explosion generated a massive fireball, abruptly halting the preparations.

Starship at Massey's test pad — Starship en route to Massey’s test pad at Starbase, Texas in December 2024. Image: SpaceX

In response to the incident, Musk took to social media to suggest that a failure related to a composite overwrapped pressure vessel (COPV) in the ship’s cargo bay could be responsible for the explosion. COPVs serve a critical function in maintaining pressure within the rocket’s fuel tanks, using inert gases to prevent structural collapse as fuel is consumed during flight.

As Musk noted, “Preliminary data suggests that a nitrogen COPV in the payload bay failed below its proof pressure.”Footage of the incident displayed flames emanating from the rocket’s upper section, near where the payload bay is situated. If the COPVs proved to be the primary failure point, Musk indicated that the necessary repairs would be relatively straightforward, potentially allowing SpaceX to prepare a new test vehicle without significant delay.

However, the timeline for Flight 10 could still face obstacles due to the severe damage incurred by the ground testing facilities during the explosion. The incident’s dramatic visuals raised concerns about the potential need for SpaceX to relocate its static fire tests to alternate sites, which could further complicate future testing schedules.

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