Explosion Hits SpaceX Starbase as Blue Origin Ramps Up Competition

[madtrader]

A pressure-test explosion tore open the side of SpaceX’s first Starship V3 prototype early Friday, footage from South Texas shows.
While the booster remained standing, the structural blowout marks an early setback for the rocket meant to replace the V2 design flown in October.

The incident comes as competition intensifies.
Blue Origin has launched New Glenn twice, landed its first booster, and just unveiled a larger design aimed directly at Starship’s market. With NASA eyeing multiple options for future lunar missions, SpaceX faces growing pressure to keep Starship’s development on track.

[Rimon Khan]

Space race heating up fast — competition brings pressure and mistakes.

[Nahid Hossen]

Blue Origin catching up might be pushing SpaceX to the limits.