A worker has died at SpaceX's Starbase launch site in South Texas, with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) investigating. The incident occurred on May 15 around 4:17 a.m., but details about the circumstances of the death are not yet clear. OSHA will release more information once its investigation is complete, which could take several months.
This marks the latest in a series of safety concerns at Starbase, where workers have been injured and the facility has been cited for safety violations. In 2025, TechCrunch analysis found that the Texas launch site had an injury rate significantly higher than industry rivals and was the most hazardous among SpaceX's worksites. OSHA hit SpaceX with seven "serious" safety violations in January, including a crane collapse at Starbase last June.
SpaceX is preparing for its first planned launch of the upgraded Starship rocket and has reportedly filed a detailed prospectus for its initial public offering (IPO). The IPO is expected to be one of the largest in history when it takes place next month. The incident comes just days before the planned launch, which could raise further questions about safety at the facility.
According to OSHA records, SpaceX has been hit with multiple lawsuits related to injuries sustained at Starbase in recent years. In December, a subcontractor employee sued after being injured by a crane accident, but the lawsuit was dropped due to workers' compensation insurance provided by his employer.
