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A SpaceX Starship rocket broke apart minutes after launching from Texas on Thursday, marking a setback for Elon Musk’s ambitious space program. The rocket, carrying mock satellite payloads for a test flight, disintegrated eight minutes after liftoff, leading to widespread air traffic disruptions over the Gulf of Mexico.
Airline flights were diverted or delayed, particularly in Miami and Fort Lauderdale, as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rerouted planes to avoid falling debris. SpaceX referred to the incident as a "rapid unscheduled disassembly," with CEO Elon Musk attributing the failure to a liquid oxygen leak that caused internal pressure buildup.
The test, using an upgraded Starship upper stage, was intended to showcase advancements in the vehicle, which aims to support future Mars missions and satellite deployments. This marks the seventh Starship test since 2023, but the FAA may ground further launches pending a mishap investigation. Musk remains optimistic, suggesting future tests could proceed as early as next month.
No injuries were reported.
