MUNICH — A recent test on November 21 resulted in notable damage to the first booster of SpaceX's new generation Starship vehicles, casting doubts on the projected development timeline. The Super Heavy booster, known as Booster 18, experienced a rupture in its lower section at the test site near SpaceX’s Starbase facilities in Texas, according to independent video footage.

Although the booster remained upright, subsequent images revealed structural damage. "Booster 18 suffered an anomaly during gas system pressure testing that we were conducting in advance of structural proof testing," SpaceX stated. Unlike a prior incident where a Starship upper stage exploded during preparations, this time no propellant was loaded, and no engines were installed.

The tests aimed to verify the booster's ability to withstand pressures and loads. SpaceX provided limited details, noting that no personnel were injured. "The teams need time to investigate before we are confident of the cause," the company said.

Booster 18 represents the first Super Heavy built for version 3 of Starship, incorporating upgrades such as an upgraded fuel transfer line, an integrated hot-staging ring, three grid fins for reentry, and upgraded Raptor engines. These enhancements are crucial for SpaceX’s plans to use the vehicle for launching larger Starlink satellites and supporting NASA’s Artemis lunar lander program.

Before the incident, SpaceX expressed optimism about launching version 3 soon. Kiko Dontchev, vice president of launch at SpaceX, mentioned at the Economist Space Summit on Nov. 5: "We’re now super-focused on the version 3 rocket that will launch early next year... That’s really going to be our production rocket." He added that multiple Starship V3 vehicles were in production, with a booster heading to the pad for testing. "I’m very hopeful we’re going to fly early next year, maybe as early as January."

Dontchev acknowledged Starship's "nontraditional approach" to testing: "As long as we fail in a way that never hurts anyone or has an issue where it drastically sets us back, it’s OK to learn through testing," he said. He also claimed that all 11 integrated Starship/Super Heavy flights "have been iterative successes in the sense that we’ve learned a ton."

The incident may increase pressure on NASA to revise its Artemis lunar landing plans. SpaceX is contracted to provide a Starship-based lunar lander for Artemis 3, officially scheduled for 2027. NASA Acting Administrator Sean Duffy announced Oct. 20 he would “open up” the Artemis 3 lander contract. SpaceX argued that Starship remained the fastest way to return humans to the lunar surface.

SpaceX outlined its next milestones for Starship V3, including placing a ship in orbit for extended testing and launching another to dock with it for in-space propellant transfer. "The exact timing will be driven by how upcoming flight tests debuting the new Starship V3 architecture progress, but both of these tests are targeted to take place in 2026," the company stated.