A major SpaceX test campaign suffered a setback on Friday when a new Starship Super Heavy booster was damaged by a powerful explosion during ground checks in South Texas.

The vehicle, known as Booster 18 and representing the first of SpaceX’s upgraded “Block 3” or V3 Starship boosters, was undergoing routine gas-system pressure testing at the company’s Massey test site near Starbase when its giant liquid oxygen tank ruptured.

Footage from independent livestreams showed the lower section of the roughly 70metertall booster suddenly crumpling and partially blowing apart at about 4:04 a.m. local time, sending debris and gas plumes billowing from the test stand.

BOOSTER 18 WYD NO WAY

@LabPadre pic.twitter.com/L78q80EpvQ — Chris Combs (iterative design enjoyer) (@DrChrisCombs) November 2

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