While SpaceX continues with the preparations of its starship IFT-4 in its Boca Chica (Texas) facilities, the rocket engine testing platform of SpaceX in McGregor (Texas) has caught fire.
Local media images show that while the company was testing a rocket engine at the site (a Raptor engine), a fiery explosion occurred that engulfed the tower in flames.
At the moment, SpaceX has not reported on the incident, which occurs after a minor anomaly occurred earlier this month in the second stage of a Starship spacecraft during testing on another platform.
How do Raptor engines work and what ships are they used for?
Unlike most rocket companies, which produce a fixed number of engines intended for specific future rockets, SpaceX is a hardware-rich company. The development of its Starship rocket in Texas has allowed the company to increase production of steel sheets, metal tanks, and rocket engines.
Before a rocket engine is installed on the Falcon 9, the Starship Super Heavy, or the second stage of the Starship, it undergoes qualification testing at SpaceX facilities in McGregor, Texas.
The two rocket engines can be distinguished by their exhaust plumes. While the Merlin’s exhaust has an orange color due to kerosene, the Raptor’s is cleaner and emits a bluish hue. Raptor engines are a new design created specifically for Starship, as they can use methane as fuel.
Today, images from a local media channel in Texas, NASASpaceflight, show that what appeared to be a Raptor engine test at a SpaceX facility in McGregor ends in flames. The test started shortly after 16:12 local time and seemed to be progressing normally, as the smoke from the ignition blocked the camera’s view.
When the smoke cleared, 14 seconds after ignition, the engine had shut down and the test seemed to have concluded.
However, immediately after the smoke clouds dissipated, fire started to come out from the bottom of the platform, where the rocket engine nozzle emits flames. However, these new flames were orange in color and seemed to move upwards before a second explosion engulfed the entire structure.
