A significant incident occurred at SpaceX’s Starbase facility in South Texas this week when a crane collapsed during cleanup operations following a recent rocket explosion. Despite clear visual documentation of the event by local content creators, details about potential injuries or operational disruptions remain undisclosed by company officials.
The crane failure on June 23rd adds to a series of challenges at the site, which recently witnessed a Starship rocket explosion during testing. While SpaceX often shares updates on high-profile technical failures, the company has maintained silence regarding this latest accident. Notably, the newly established city of Starbase—home to over 200 SpaceX employees and governed by company executives—has also declined to address public inquiries about the incident.
Key Developments:
- Starbase leadership, including Mayor Bobby Peden (SpaceX VP) and Commissioner Jordan Buss (SpaceX safety director), has ignored repeated requests for comment.
- Local emergency services reported no distress calls from the site, though access restrictions complicate independent verification.
- OSHA has opened an investigation into workplace safety practices following the collapse.
This incident raises questions about transparency in Starbase’s governance structure. The city, formally incorporated in May 2025 with majority support from SpaceX staff, recently secured a $1.5 million loan from the company to fund municipal operations. Critics argue this financial dependency may influence how officials handle incidents involving their corporate benefactor.
Safety concerns at SpaceX facilities are not new. Previous reports highlight conflicts between Musk-led companies and regulatory bodies, including a 2019 incident where Tesla blocked OSHA inspectors from a Nevada facility despite possessing a warrant. With OSHA’s capacity reduced by federal budget cuts linked to Musk’s DOGE project, the outcome of the current investigation remains uncertain.
Meanwhile, Starbase continues implementing policies that prioritize SpaceX’s operational needs, including restricted public access via gated checkpoints and ambiguous property rights notices sent to local residents. These measures, framed as safety protocols, have drawn scrutiny from community advocates and transparency watchdogs alike.
