SpaceX Develops New Test Stand for Starship Test Flights Following Last Month’s Explosion

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In a significant development, SpaceX has commenced construction on a new ground test stand at its launch facility in Texas. This initiative follows the destruction of prior testing facilities due to an explosion last month. Currently, the Starship spacecraft is under development, but its progress in 2025 has faced notable challenges as the second-generation upper-stage rocket has been struggling to achieve its flight test objectives. The recent incident has delayed SpaceX’s testing schedule, with rebuilding efforts expected to require considerable time and resources.

Navigating Infrastructure Setback: SpaceX’s Starship Program

The explosion that took place last month marks a significant setback for SpaceX, reminiscent of the challenges faced during the rocket’s inaugural flight in 2023. On that occasion, the mission was compromised as the spacecraft and booster failed to detach properly, resulting in extensive damage to the launch pad from the thrust generated by the Super Heavy booster’s engines.

In the wake of the 2023 launch pad incident, SpaceX undertook a substantial rebuilding operation, which included the addition of a water deluge system designed to mitigate rocket exhaust impacts. This refurbishment and the necessary approvals extended the timeline by six months, ultimately paving the way for a second Starship flight in November.

For initial Starship test flights, SpaceX relied on a test mount to assess the ship’s engines, but following the explosion last month, those facilities were significantly damaged. The visual aftermath of the explosion, captured by local media, highlighted extensive destruction, prompting rapid cleanup efforts by SpaceX teams. However, the process of rebuilding these crucial facilities is projected to extend beyond the timeline for preparing the next Starship for its upcoming Flight 10.

According to SpaceX’s assessment, the explosion was triggered by a faulty pressurized tank located in the ship’s upper segment. The resolution for this issue involves replacing the defective tank with an operational one, which can be carried out on existing upper-stage craft. Nevertheless, due to the explosion’s impact, a static fire test of the ship will need to be conducted anew.

To facilitate these preparations, SpaceX is establishing a new test stand at its launch site. This adaptation is critical, as it incorporates the existing water deluge system that serves to protect both the ground structure and the rocket’s engines from exhaust gases and debris produced during testing.

Once the construction of the new test stand is finalized, SpaceX intends to promptly position the subsequent spacecraft at the launch tower for testing. Following Starship Flight 9, the company had previously conducted swift tests of the Super Heavy booster. However, the unexpected explosion has introduced delays, further complicating an already challenging testing program for the upper-stage craft in 2025.

A look at the Starship transport stand that is being modified into a pad 1 launch mount ship static fire adapter. Lots of grinding, cutting and welding modification work is happening before lifting it onto the launch mount to use for Starship 37 static fire testing.7/2/25 pic.twitter.com/3TS3iJR0mc

— Starship Gazer (@StarshipGazer) July 2, 2025