SpaceX’s Starship spacecraft broke apart mid-flight, prompting airlines to reroute flights to avoid falling debris.
Elon Musk’s company successfully recovered a first-stage booster after its return to Earth on Thursday. However, the new-generation uncrewed spacecraft was lost during its test flight.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) briefly slowed and diverted flights around the debris area. “Normal operations have resumed,” an FAA spokesperson confirmed.
FlightRadar24 monitored at least 20 reroutes of flights. Social media footage showed debris reentering over the Caribbean.
Musk attributed the breakup to an oxygen or fuel leak near the ship engine firewall. “We’ll double-check for leaks and add fire suppression,” Musk posted on X. “The next launch remains on track for next month.”
Success is uncertain, but entertainment is guaranteed! ✨
pic.twitter.com/nn3PiP8XwG— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 16, 2025
SpaceX ground control lost contact with the vehicle eight and a half minutes after liftoff from Brownsville, Texas. The prototype, carrying 10 dummy satellites, was meant to complete a partial orbit.
“Starship experienced a rapid unscheduled disassembly during its ascent burn,” SpaceX stated. The company vowed to analyze data and improve reliability for future launches.
This marked the seventh test flight for Starship, which Musk hopes will one day carry humans to Mars.
Meanwhile, Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin achieved a milestone by successfully launching its New Glenn rocket into orbit on Thursday.
Musk compared his rivalry with Bezos to the comedic dynamic in Step Brothers, posting playful remarks on X after Blue Origin’s success.
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