OSHA investigating worker death at SpaceX Starbase facility
Original: OSHA probing worker death at SpaceX’s Starbase site
Why This Matters
Highlights ongoing safety concerns at SpaceX facilities during critical launch preparations
A worker died at SpaceX's Starbase launch site in South Texas on Friday at 4:17 a.m., prompting an OSHA investigation. The death occurred days before the first planned launch of SpaceX's upgraded Starship rocket and ahead of the company's planned IPO.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has opened an investigation into a worker death at SpaceX's Starbase site in South Texas on May 15. The unidentified victim died at approximately 4:17 a.m. local time, according to OSHA and local officials cited by the San Antonio Express-News. OSHA confirmed the investigation to TechCrunch but stated it won't release additional information until the investigation concludes, which could take months. The incident comes ahead of SpaceX's first planned upgraded Starship launch and the company's expected IPO prospectus release. SpaceX has faced ongoing safety issues at Starbase, with TechCrunch's 2025 analysis showing the site had injury rates far exceeding industry rivals. In January, OSHA issued seven serious safety violations totaling $115,850 in penalties, which SpaceX is contesting.