By Micah Maidenberg

A person at SpaceX's rocket complex in Texas died in a workplace accident Friday, according to local authorities.

Cameron County Sheriff Manuel Treviño said that his office responded to the accident, but isn't releasing information about the victim.

The person worked for a contractor helping to develop the company's Starbase complex, people familiar with the matter said. Starbase is located about 20 miles east of Brownsville, Texas, and is where SpaceX builds and launches its Starship rockets.

The company has been gearing up for a much-delayed test flight, set to feature a new version of Starship. That mission is currently set for Wednesday evening.

SpaceX didn't respond to requests for comment. Representatives for the city of Starbase, created as a company town for SpaceX's facilities and staff, also didn't respond to requests for comment. Representatives from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration didn't respond to requests for comment.

The San Antonio Express-News earlier reported the death.

SpaceX has been racing to develop Starbase over the past few years. The site includes launchpads, areas to test rockets on the ground, and a huge factory. Working at Starbase is often intense, especially given SpaceX's push to rapidly develop the property for more regular Starship missions, people familiar with the company's operations said.

The fire department for Brownsville was dispatched to respond to the accident on Friday, said the city's fire chief, Jarrett Sheldon. That request was quickly canceled and the department didn't send personnel out to Starbase, he said.

The city of Starbase has set its own emergency management plan, according to its website.

Write to Micah Maidenberg at micah.maidenberg@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

May 18, 2026 17:42 ET (21:42 GMT)

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