On June 18, 2025, SpaceX’s Ship 36 experienced a major explosion at its Massey, Texas testing site during a routine static fire test.
The unexpected fireball illuminated the sky, scattering debris and triggering an immediate suspension of scheduled launches. Thankfully, no injuries were reported, as safety measures had been strictly enforced.
This was the third Starship failure in 2025, following two earlier mid-air disintegrations.
The incident is now under investigation by SpaceX engineers and federal regulators.
SpaceX Revenue and Starlink Growth in 2025
Despite these setbacks, SpaceX’s business trajectory remains robust:
- 2025 Revenue Projection: $15.5 billion (↑ from $11.8 billion in 2024)
- Starlink Subscribers: 5.36 million as of March; expected to hit 6M+ by year-end
- NASA Contracts: ~$1.1 billion in contributions for lunar and ISS missions
- Total Launches Planned: 170 (vs. 134 launches in 2024)
With Starlink accounting for 80% of SpaceX’s revenue and now turning cash-flow positive, the company continues to reinforce its commercial dominance in satellite communications.
Bullish Forecast: SpaceX Valuation & Market Vision
According to ARK Invest, SpaceX’s potential valuation could soar to $2.5 trillion by 2030, powered by:
- Its Starshield defense contracts
- Plans for Mars logistics
- Dominance in the low Earth orbit (LEO) launch market
- Continued innovation in reusable rocket technology
Final Take
While the Starship explosion underscores the inherent risks of spaceflight, it also highlights SpaceX’s fail-fast-learn-faster philosophy.
The company’s strategy isn’t just about rockets—it’s about shaping an interplanetary infrastructure for generations to come.