A SpaceX rocket exploded shortly after liftoff from Texas on Thursday, marking the second consecutive failure for the massive SpaceX Starship.
The incident caused flight delays and raised concerns about falling spaceship debris. SpaceX confirmed the uncrewed rocket experienced a “rapid unscheduled disassembly” during its ascent, losing contact with ground control.
The 123-meter (403-foot) Starship, the largest rocket ever built, spun out of control shortly after launch. While no injuries or property damage were reported, images from Caribbean nations showed fiery debris raining from the sky. This was the eighth mission to test the rocket, and its second failure in a row.
The Super Heavy booster, designed to help the rocket leave the ground, managed to return to the launchpad as planned. However, the Starship itself failed to complete its mission, which was intended to re-enter Earth’s orbit over the Indian Ocean after a one-hour flight.
SpaceX and FAA Respond to Rocket Explosion
SpaceX, owned by billionaire Elon Musk, stated that teams immediately coordinated with safety officials for “pre-planned contingency responses.” The company noted that the explosion occurred after the loss of “several” engines and promised to review data to determine the root cause of the failure.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) temporarily halted flights at several Florida airports, including Miami and Orlando, due to concerns about flaming debris. The FAA described the incident as a “space launch incident” and confirmed it was investigating the explosion.
Previous SpaceX Starship Failure and FAA Investigation
This incident follows a similar test conducted in January, where a Starship rocket failed minutes after launching from SpaceX’s Texas facility. The FAA grounded Starship launches after the January explosion, which caused property damage in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Despite the ongoing investigation, SpaceX proceeded with this latest launch before the FAA completed its review.
Footage posted on social media platform X showed flaming rocket debris falling over the Caribbean Sea. Residents in the Bahamas reported seeking shelter to avoid potential debris. The government of the Turks and Caicos Islands stated it was in contact with US authorities and SpaceX to ensure public safety.
Everything to Know About SpaceX Starship
The SpaceX Starship, the largest and most powerful rocket ever built, is central to Elon Musk’s ambitions for colonizing Mars. The Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy rocket are designed to be fully reusable, with NASA planning to use a modified version for its Artemis missions to the Moon. In the long term, Musk envisions Starship making nine-month trips to Mars and back.
Despite the setbacks, SpaceX remains committed to advancing its Starship program. The company’s focus on reusability and innovation continues to drive its efforts to revolutionize space travel. With NASA’s Artemis missions and Musk’s Mars colonization goals, the Starship program remains a critical component of the future of space exploration.
