Fact Check: SpaceX Confirms Major Anomaly Before Starship Explosion!
What We Know
On June 18, 2025, a SpaceX Starship rocket experienced a significant incident during preparations for its tenth flight test at the company's Starbase facility in Texas. According to multiple reports, SpaceX confirmed that the Starship "experienced a major anomaly" shortly before an expected engine test firing, resulting in a dramatic explosion that sent debris flying and created a large fireball in the sky (see NPR, CBS News, New York Post). SpaceX stated that all personnel were safe and accounted for, and there were no hazards to nearby communities (NPR).
Analysis
The claim that SpaceX confirmed a major anomaly before the explosion is supported by credible sources. The reports from NPR and CBS News both cite official statements from SpaceX, which explicitly mention the "major anomaly" that occurred. Furthermore, the incident was captured on video by LabPadre, a company that monitors SpaceX activities, providing visual evidence of the explosion (CBS News).
The reliability of the sources is high, as they are established news organizations with a track record of accurate reporting on aerospace events. NPR and CBS News are known for their journalistic integrity and fact-checking processes, which adds credibility to their coverage of the incident.
However, it's worth noting that while the term "major anomaly" is used, it is somewhat vague and could encompass a range of issues, from minor technical failures to significant malfunctions. Nevertheless, the consensus among the reports is that the event was serious enough to result in an explosion.
Conclusion
The claim that "SpaceX confirms major anomaly before Starship explosion" is True. The evidence from multiple reputable sources confirms that SpaceX did indeed report a major anomaly leading up to the explosion of the Starship rocket during its test preparations.
