SpaceX's Starbase: A Risky Path to the Stars

Starbase, SpaceX's bustling launch and manufacturing hub in Texas, has a problem: it's a hotspot for worker injuries. Since 2019, this site has seen injury rates much higher than other SpaceX facilities and the industry average. In 2024, Starbase's injury rate was 4. 27 per 100 workers, nearly six times higher than the space vehicle manufacturing average. What's going on at Starbase? It's home to Starship, SpaceX's ambitious reusable rocket. The company has been pushing hard to get Starship up and running, attempting eight test flights since its first orbital test in 2023. But this rapid progress might be coming at a cost. The injury rate at Starbase is not just high; it's a throwback. The industry average has dropped significantly since the 1990s, but Starbase's rates are closer to what they were 30 years ago. Other SpaceX facilities also have higher-than-average injury rates, but none come close to Starbase. Safety experts have raised red flags. A former OSHA official called Starbase's injury rate a "red flag" that needs addressing. However, some debate whether the standard safety metric used is the best way to measure safety performance. Starbase's injury rate has improved since 2023, but it's still the highest among SpaceX's land-based facilities. NASA, which has a big stake in Starship's development, says safety is a top priority. The agency is working with SpaceX to maintain a strong safety culture.