A SpaceX Starship rocket broke apart minutes after launching from Texas on Thursday, causing air traffic disruptions over the Gulf of Mexico and marking a setback for Elon Musk’s rocket program.
The newly upgraded Starship, carrying mock satellites but no crew, lost communication eight minutes after liftoff at 5:38 p.m. EST. SpaceX confirmed an “anomaly with the upper stage,” with video showing debris streaking across the sky near Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
The failure prompted the FAA to divert flights, delaying Miami and Fort Lauderdale departures by 45 minutes. FlightRadar24 reported dozens of flights altered course to avoid debris. Normal air operations resumed shortly after.
The rocket’s upper stage, featuring significant upgrades, was slated for a controlled splashdown in the Indian Ocean. Musk cited a liquid oxygen leak as the likely cause of the breakup.
This incident follows a similar failure in March 2023 but is rare for its impact on air traffic. The FAA may launch a mishap investigation, potentially delaying Musk’s plans for 12 Starship tests this year. Musk, however, remains optimistic about resuming launches next month.
The mishap overshadowed Blue Origin’s successful launch of its New Glenn rocket the previous day.
Despite setbacks, SpaceX continues its push to develop Starship as a Mars-bound spacecraft and satellite carrier. The reusable Super Heavy booster successfully returned to its launchpad, reigniting its engines and docking with its tower as planned.
Musk’s test-to-failure approach has previously led to dramatic outcomes, though Thursday’s failure occurred during a previously successful mission phase. The FAA’s involvement could further test Musk’s strained relationship with the agency.
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