Fri, 17 Jan 2025

SpaceX's Starship rocket breaks up after launch, flights divert after FAA debris warning

SpaceX launched the seventh test flight of its Starship rocket on Thursday.
SpaceX launched its Starship rocket on Thursday for the seventh test flight. However, communication with the upper stage of the rocket was lost about nine minutes into the launch. According to SpaceX, the ship broke up during its ascent burn and would review data from the flight to determine the cause. A post-launch fireball in the sky near the Caribbean islands was reported by social media users. SpaceX stated that debris from the rocket fell into the Atlantic Ocean within a designated hazard area. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a warning to pilots of falling debris and briefly slowed or diverted aircraft around the area where the debris was expected to fall. Multiple flights above the Caribbean were affected, including commercial planes operated by JetBlue, Spirit, and FedEx. SpaceX's Starship is a critical component in the company's plans for space travel and cargo transport. The rocket stands 403 feet tall and has flown on six previous tests since April 2023. The lost communication with the upper stage of the Starship during this test flight will likely be a focus point for SpaceX as they review data from the incident to determine its cause.
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