On June 18, 2025, SpaceX’s Starship Ship 36 exploded during a static-fire test at Starbase near Boca Chica, Texas, around 11:00 p.m. The blast destroyed key ground infrastructure, shook homes across the region, and sparked fires that burned through the night. It wasn’t just another test—it was a major industrial failure with fallout that reached across the border.
Starbase is less than three miles from the Mexico–U.S. border and surrounded by sensitive ecosystems, working-class neighborhoods, and international waterways. The explosion’s shockwave and debris extended into Mexican territory. Aluminum fragments, tanks, and plastic panels marked with “SpaceX” have been found on Mexican beaches, including Playa Bagdad, where environmental groups are warning of harm to sea turtle nesting sites and coastal fisheries. On the U.S. side, towns like Port Isabel and Laguna Heights have reported damage and concerns, yet few safety protocols exist for either side.
This is not the first time. Starship tests have repeatedly ended in fireballs and debris showers. The problem isn’t just the risk—it’s the location. Starbase sits in one of the worst places imaginable for explosive testing. Close to homes, close to wildlife refuges, and close to another sovereign nation. There are virtually no other sites in the world where heavy-lift test launches happen this close to civilians and an international border.
SpaceX calls it innovation. In reality, it’s risk offloading. Every failure leaves behind wreckage for others to deal with. No cross-border consultation. No evacuation plans. No acknowledgment of environmental damage. When a private company can toss wreckage into another country and the FAA continues to look the other way, that’s not just a policy gap—it’s a failure of duty.
People in aviation understand risk, but we also understand responsibility. This isn’t a minor concern. It’s time for regulators to take a hard look at Starbase. If the risk footprint includes Mexican towns and American communities alike, then the current model is unacceptable.
Unfortunate circumstances that emerging tech sectors have to answer for and deal with. Perhaps other sites may well deal with some of these potential situations and their potential upsides with more welcoming arms. Consider Northern Vancouver Island with it’s low population base, mild climate, road access and strategic location on Canada’s west coast. Port Hardy has a DND WW2 airfield, great harbour and ready access to the open waters of the central Pacific. Don’t forget that your dollar goes further up here as well!
I guess they’ll let anyone write in here!
Very informative, Raf. Agree it’s risk offloading. He wanted out of CA badly and took up in Texas knowing regulations and taxes (among other personal freedom disagreements) would be malleable by political influence and power to his favor.
Disgusting display of corporate irresponsibility on the incident you’ve described.
I don’t think the Invaders, or Martians as they’re often called have anything to worry about.