WASHINGTON: SpaceX Starship exploded midflight during its eighth test flight, marking the second failure this year. Air traffic in Florida was affected.
The uncrewed mission launched at 5:30 p.m. CT from Starbase, Texas, atop a Super Heavy rocket booster.
After firing for 2 ½ minutes, the booster separated successfully and aimed for landing in the “chopstick” arms of Mechazilla.
This marked the third time SpaceX successfully attempted the chopsticks booster catch near Brownsville, Texas.
Flight Delays
The FAA halted flights into Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach, and Orlando due to falling debris, delaying departures temporarily.
Departing flights from Fort Lauderdale and Miami were also delayed, with wait times of 30 to 45 minutes.
Several hours later, SpaceX provided an update confirming the spacecraft suffered an “energetic event” before the ascent burn ended.
According to SpaceX, multiple Raptor engines failed, causing a loss of control and communication at 9 minutes, 30 seconds post-launch.
The spacecraft remained within its designated flight path, preventing risks beyond the planned debris area.
Debris Concerns
SpaceX assured the public that no toxic materials were in the debris, minimizing risks to marine life and water quality.
Residents finding debris are urged to report it to local authorities or SpaceX’s debris hotline at 1-866-623-0234.
The FAA has ordered a full investigation into the cause of Starship’s failure and will oversee the process.
Investigations will focus on safety, pinpointing the root cause, and implementing corrective measures to prevent future failures.
Future Flights
The FAA stated it must approve SpaceX’s final report and corrective actions before another Starship launch occurs.
A return to flight depends on ensuring the mishap’s cause does not pose a public safety risk.
SpaceX’s Starship program aims to develop a fully reusable launch system for deep space missions, including Mars exploration.
This latest setback adds challenges to SpaceX’s ambitious spaceflight goals, requiring further improvements to the Starship system.
Despite recent failures, SpaceX continues pushing forward, testing new designs to enhance spacecraft reliability.
