Starbase Worker at SpaceX Dies Suddenly; Cause of Death Unknown

An incident occurred at SpaceX’s Starbase manufacturing facility in South Texas, United States. A worker was reported dead as the company prepared for the inaugural launch of the Starship V3 mega rocket. San Antonio Express-News reported that the incident happened in the early hours of Friday, 15 May, at around 04:00 local time. The United States’ Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is investigating the case. Authorities have not yet disclosed the victim’s identity or the exact cause of death. The Wall Street Journal, citing internal sources, said the victim was a contractor and died after a fall. This death occurred as SpaceX was preparing to launch Starship V3, the latest generation of the Starship rocket, touted as stronger and designed for long-range spaceflight. According to Space’s site, Starship is Elon Musk’s ambitious project to take humans to the Moon and Mars. The rocket, standing about 122 metres tall, is described as the largest and most powerful rocket ever built. The inaugural Starship V3 launch was originally scheduled for 19 May. SpaceX has delayed the flight twice; the latest schedule had it for Thursday night (21 May). The company has not provided an official reason for the delays or commented on the death of the worker at Starbase. Amid SpaceX’s ambitions, Starbase’s safety record has drawn scrutiny. An analysis by TechCrunch using OSHA data from 2025 shows the injury rate at Starbase was the highest among SpaceX’s manufacturing and testing facilities. The rate of workplace accidents there was almost six times higher than the industry average for similar spacecraft manufacturers and nearly three times higher than the aerospace manufacturing sector overall in 2024. The report also notes that the trend of high worker injuries has persisted since 2019, when SpaceX began reporting Starbase safety data to US federal regulators. Additionally, SpaceX is facing legal action related to workplace safety. A truck driver has sued the company after alleging injuries from exposure to liquid methane while delivering rocket fuels to SpaceX’s testing site in McGregor, Texas, in June 2024. Another issue comes from residents around Starbase. More than 50 residents have filed federal lawsuits alleging that Starship launch activities have damaged their homes.