SpaceX Faces Mounting Scrutiny After Crane Collapse: Safety Standards Under Microscope

In June 2025, at the Starbase spaceport in Texas owned by SpaceX, a hydraulic crane collapsed. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) conducted an investigation into the incident and identified seven serious safety violations. Following the investigation, SpaceX was fined a total of $115,850. The OSHA investigation began the day after the crane collapsed on June 24. Footage from LabPadre, which streams live from Starbase, shows the crane breaking under the weight of a large debris piece from a Starship heavy-duty rocket prototype that exploded four days earlier. According to OSHA materials, SpaceX employees used a Grove RT9150E crane to lift debris while another employee examined them with an excavator bucket to determine the explosion’s cause.

It turned out that the Grove RT9150E crane had recently been repaired and returned to operation without proper inspection by a qualified specialist, guaranteeing compliance with the manufacturer’s repair requirements. Furthermore, OSHA claims that SpaceX did not conduct or document monthly inspections of the Grove crane, and that the last inspection was more than 12 months ago. Monthly inspections of the steel cable used to move debris were also not conducted. The rigging equipment lacked markings indicating safe working load. During the OSHA investigation, it was also found that one employee operated a 90-ton Tadano crawler crane with an expired National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators certificate.

SpaceX may contest the penalties. The company has not yet provided comments on the incident and fine. This incident is part of a broader picture of safety issues at Starbase. In 2023, Reuters published a report on dozens of previously unrecorded injuries and one employee death occurred during the last decade of construction at the site. Last year’s OSHA data analysis showed that Starbase’s injury rate is significantly higher than at other SpaceX facilities or competitors.

Recent industry trends show an increased emphasis on robust safety measures, especially in handling heavy equipment. Emerging protocols encourage frequent skill assessments for equipment operators, likely a result of the mounting pressures from regulatory bodies overseeing ever-complex aerospace projects. In late 2025, companies such as Blue Origin faced scrutiny for similar issues, creating a competitive environment focused on safety certifications.

Experts in aerospace safety have emphasized the need for routine technology upgrades and operator certification renewals to avoid incidents similar to those at SpaceX. As aerospace firms aim to minimize risks while accelerating exploration goals, embracing these new standards becomes not just a compliance issue but a strategic move to protect both personnel and infrastructure investments. Going forward, industry stakeholders anticipate an increased push for innovations in safety practices, reflecting the evolving landscape of space exploration challenges.