BAD NEWS! First SpaceX Starship Booster V3 Exploded During Test! Here’s What Exactly Happened

The aerospace community has been buzzing after a major event at Starbase: the first V3 Booster, B18, exploded during its initial pressure test. SpaceX responded quickly with early details, but the incident still raises big questions about what went wrong, how it affects the V3 program, and what this means for future Starship missions—including the all-important Artemis III timeline.

Meanwhile, Rocket Lab quietly pulled off a surprisingly fast-paced and successful mission, achieving several key milestones for its Electron rocket.

This comprehensive breakdown covers everything that happened, why it matters, and what comes next for SpaceX and Rocket Lab.

The Shocking B18 Explosion — What Really Happened?

Excitement around Booster 18 (B18) had been building for months. As the first V3-series booster, it represented the start of a new era for Starship’s rapid reusability, upgraded gas systems, and structural improvements. Many believed B18 would soon support the much-anticipated first V3 flight next year.

But progress in rocketry is never smooth.

At exactly 4:04:58 PM, during what appeared to be a routine pressure test at the Massee test site, everything changed. A sudden internal failure caused a violent explosion in the liquid oxygen tank region, sending shock waves through the structure.

BAD NEWS! First SpaceX Starship Booster V3 Exploded During Test

A Massive Blast — But No Fire

In the test footage, the blast radius was enormous and clearly visible.
Yet, despite the violence of the rupture, no fire followed—a key indicator that the vehicle wasn’t loaded with propellant.

Hours later, images began circulating, showing the booster standing—damaged but still upright—which was surprising given the severity of the event.

A Close Look at the Damage

The “Crushed Can” Side

From the test tank–facing side, the booster looked like an empty soda can crushed from the inside.
The chines along that section appeared warped and visibly damaged.

This was the first sign of a major internal over-pressurization.

The Far Side Was Worse—A Giant Jagged Tear

The opposite side revealed the true extent of the failure:

A huge, uneven tear across the shell
Metal peeled open as if something had burst outward
A clear blast path suggesting an internal rupture starting in that area

Daytime photos indicated that the internal liquid oxygen tank also suffered damage.

Despite all this, the booster stayed standing—a small but important engineering victory.

SpaceX Responds Quickly — Here’s What They Confirmed

SpaceX immediately released two key updates:

Everyone was safe.
Personnel always remain far from the test stand during these operations.
The cause involved an anomaly during gas system pressure testing.
- No engines were installed
- No propellant was loaded
- The booster was filled only with high-pressure inert gas (likely nitrogen/oxygen mix)

This explained the lack of fire and the unusual deformation pattern compared to typical cryogenic test failures.

The test was part of the new V3 gas system validation, meant to push the system to its limits before moving on to full structural or cryogenic testing.

Unfortunately, the system appears not to have handled the extreme pressure.

First SpaceX Starship Booster V3 Exploded During Test

What Likely Caused the Explosion? Expert Speculation

SpaceX hasn’t confirmed the root cause yet, but engineers and analysts have noted several possibilities.

1. COPV Failure (Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessels)

COPVs sit above the engine bay near the chines—right where the worst damage appeared.

A rupture or violent depressurization of a COPV could have:

Sent shockwaves into the surrounding structure
Triggered a cascading failure
Blown out the liquid oxygen tank

This aligns closely with the visible aftermath.

2. Gas System Line Failure

Another possibility is that a gas system pipe failed:

A burst line could release massive pressure instantly
That pressure hits the COPVs and tank walls
A chain reaction follows, tearing open the structure

This would explain the jagged outward rupture—the pressure had nowhere else to go.

3. Combined Failure Mode

Most analysts believe it was likely a combination of both:

A gas system over-pressurization
COPVs unable to handle the sudden load
Catastrophic structural release

SpaceX will need weeks to conduct a full investigation.

Is B18 Salvageable? Unfortunately—No

The brutal reality is that B18 is beyond saving.

Transport equipment has already been seen arriving at the Massee site, signaling that SpaceX will soon prepare to move the booster.

But:

The shell is shredded
The tanks are compromised
A massive structural section would need replacement

It’s almost certain B18 will be transported to Mega Bay or the Rocket Garden, then eventually scrapped after investigation.

This is heartbreaking for fans who waited nearly 6 months for B18’s assembly—from May through early November.

First SpaceX Starship Booster V3 Exploded

Does This Mean V3 Has a Design Flaw?

Short answer: Probably not.

Many major rocket programs experience dramatic early failures. Development hardware is meant to be pushed beyond limits until something breaks.

Plus:

B18 is the first of its kind
New systems often expose hidden weaknesses
The failure occurred during a non-cryogenic test—far safer than later phases

Still, the short-term impact is unavoidable.

Flight 12 Delay – Is January Off the Table Now?

SpaceX has not yet stacked Booster 19 (B19).

Without B19:

There’s no immediate replacement for V3 testing
Stacking a new booster takes months
Testing takes weeks
Investigations must conclude before progress resumes

This makes a January flight almost impossible.
The ripple effects could delay several upcoming missions.

Worse yet, this setback may slow SpaceX’s progress for Artemis III, as the competition from Blue Origin’s lunar lander program grows stronger.

Putting It Into Perspective — SpaceX Has Survived Worse

2024’s S36 accident was arguably far more destructive than B18’s failure—and SpaceX bounced back with remarkable speed.

Failures are not roadblocks; they are data points.
Rocketry has no shortcuts, and every success is built on dozens of failures.

As many fans have said:

“Don’t give up, SpaceX.”

What’s Next at Starbase After the B18 Failure?

SpaceX must shift into recovery mode while still pushing Starship forward.

Here’s what comes next:

1. Full Inspection of the Massee Test Site

Engineers will analyze:

The booster stand
The center quick-disconnect
All surrounding structures

Any stress or micro-damage must be repaired immediately to prevent future incidents.

2. Continued Work on Ship 39 (S39)

S39 is progressing steadily at the production site.
Given the B18 incident, SpaceX will likely conduct additional reviews to ensure no shared system vulnerabilities.

3. Begin Early Work on the Next Booster

While B18’s investigation continues, teams can:

Prepare non-affected components
Start early stacking inside Mega Bay
Accelerate V3 improvements

This parallel approach helps recover lost time.

4. Gigabay Construction Must Stay on Schedule

Gigabay will be key for:

Faster production
Higher launch cadence
Long-term Starship scaling

Infrastructure upgrades cannot slow down.

5. Launch Site Updates Continue

Pad 2 work will likely be delayed, but still prioritized.

Pad 1 is being aggressively upgraded—the final OLM leg was recently removed, and the chopsticks shortened. Work continues despite setbacks.

The next few weeks will be critical for regaining momentum.

Meanwhile… Rocket Lab Quietly Breaks Records

While SpaceX dealt with turbulence, Rocket Lab enjoyed a streak of flawless performance.

At 7:43 AM Eastern on November 20, the company launched another Electron rocket from New Zealand—seemingly out of nowhere.

The announcement came only 5 hours before launch, indicating a mission under intense secrecy.

The payload was confidential, and the customer anonymous.

The Mission Was a Complete Success

Named “Follow My Speed,” the mission achieved several milestones:

Rocket Lab Milestone #1 — Two Launches in Just 48 Hours

Before this orbital launch, Rocket Lab flew a suborbital HASTE mission from Launch Complex 2.

Two launches within 48 hours is a massive demonstration of capability.

Rocket Lab Milestone #2 — 18 Launches This Year

Counting suborbital missions, Electron has now flown 18 times in 2024, with:

15 orbital missions
A 100% mission success rate this year

This makes Electron the most frequently flown small orbital launch vehicle in the world.

Rocket Lab Milestone #3 — 76 Total Launches and Growing Fast

Rocket Lab’s total launch count now sits at 76, surpassing the historical totals of several older industry competitors.

With its reusable Neutron rocket debuting next year, the company’s momentum is only accelerating.

Final Thoughts — A Tough Week for SpaceX, a Great Week for Rocket Lab

The B18 explosion is undeniably a setback for SpaceX. It delays the first V3 flight, complicates Starship’s development timeline, and poses short-term challenges for Artemis III milestones.

But history shows that SpaceX thrives under pressure.
Failures fuel rapid iteration, and Starship development has always moved in bold leaps—forward, backward, then forward twice as far.

Meanwhile, Rocket Lab is proving itself as the most reliable small-launch operator on the planet, with a pipeline that’s only growing stronger.

FAQs

1. What caused SpaceX’s Booster 18 (B18) explosion?

The explosion occurred during a high-pressure gas system test. SpaceX confirmed that no propellant or engines were installed. The failure likely originated from an over-pressurized line or COPV-related issue, though the exact cause is still under investigation.

2. Was anyone injured during the B18 incident?

No. SpaceX emphasized that all personnel were at a safe distance and no injuries occurred during the test.

3. Why was there no fire after the explosion?

Because the booster was not loaded with propellant. The test used high-pressure inert gases such as nitrogen or oxygen, which do not ignite.

4. Is Booster 18 repairable?

No. The structural deformation and tank damage are too extensive. B18 will be studied for investigation purposes and then likely scrapped.

5. Does the B18 failure indicate a major design flaw in V3 boosters?

Not necessarily. Early prototype failures are common in rocket development. This appears to be an isolated issue rather than a systemic flaw.

6. How long did Booster 18 take to build?

B18 took roughly six months to assemble, from May to early November, making the loss disappointing but still part of development testing.

7. Will the B18 failure delay Starship’s Flight 12?

Yes. Since B19 has not yet been stacked, a January launch now seems unlikely. The delay could affect multiple upcoming missions.

8. How does this incident affect Artemis III timelines?

Any delay in Starship’s development indirectly affects NASA’s Artemis III schedule. Blue Origin’s lunar lander progress also increases competitive pressure.

9. What are COPVs and how might they relate to the failure?

Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessels store compressed gases. If one ruptured or was affected during the pressure spike, it could have amplified internal damage.

10. What steps is SpaceX taking after the explosion?

SpaceX is inspecting the Massee site, reviewing booster and ship systems, preparing B19 components, and continuing infrastructure upgrades at Starbase.

11. Will Ship 39 (S39) be affected by this incident?

S39 remains on schedule, but SpaceX will likely conduct additional checks to ensure no shared vulnerabilities with B18.

12. What is the purpose of the Massee test site?

Massee is used to test Starship and booster systems, including pressure tests, cryogenic trials, and later structural validations.

13. What milestones did Rocket Lab achieve with its recent Electron launch?

Rocket Lab completed two launches in 48 hours, hit 18 launches in 2024, maintained a 100% success rate for the year, and reached 76 total company launches.

14. Why was Rocket Lab’s mission announced only five hours before liftoff?

The customer requested secrecy and operated under a tight timeline, resulting in an unusually short notice period.

15. What is Rocket Lab’s “Follow My Speed” mission?

It was a classified mission carrying a single satellite for an unnamed commercial client. Rocket Lab confirmed the mission was fully successful.

16. What is Rocket Lab’s Neutron rocket and when will it debut?

Neutron is Rocket Lab’s upcoming medium-lift reusable rocket. It is expected to debut next year and will support larger payloads and rapid launch cadences.