SpaceX’s Starship Explodes On Test Flight And Caused Flights Diversions

SpaceX launched its Starship rocket on its seventh test flight this Thursday, but the rocket broke apart and burned during its ascent, just minutes after its launch. Multiple flights had to alter their routes due to falling debris from the rocket in the area.

According to Reuters, the space company lost communication with the rocket 8 minutes after its departure. The ship had no crew, it was carrying mock satellites the company expected to test in space.

“Starship experienced a rapid unscheduled disassembly during its ascent burn. Teams will continue to review data from today’s flight test to better understand the root cause,” wrote the company on the social media platform X. “With a test like this, success comes from what we learn, and today’s flight will help us improve Starship’s reliability.”

After the explosion, debris fell like shooting stars in the sky over the Caribbean, near Port-au-Prince, leaving also trails of smoke. The Federal Aviation Administration shared a warning for pilots and airlines: “Dangerous area for falling debris of rocket starship.” According to CNBC, many commercial flights from airlines like jetBlue and Spirit had to divert routes.

Many social media users in the Caribbean shared videos and photos of Starship’s debris falling.

Skyfall 💫

Starship rains down from the sky over Turks and Caicos in the most beautiful breakup the universe has ever seen pic.twitter.com/YcoD48WhVg

— Mambo Italiano (@mamboitaliano__) January 16, 2025

The Starship rocket is part of SpaceX’s mission to Mars and Elon Musk’s vision to travel to the planet in a few years.