U.S. grounded SpaceX Starship due to mid-air explosion

Debris from a SpaceX spacecraft is seen in the sky near Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, on January 16, 2025, in this image courtesy of Greg Bree.
The United States grounded SpaceX’s Starship on Friday and ordered Elon Musk’s company to investigate why the spacecraft spectacularly disintegrated in a fiery cascade over the Caribbean Sea during its latest test mission. I ordered.
Authorities in Turks and Caicos Islands confirmed they had diverted all aircraft from their airspace during the incident and urged residents not to touch falling debris, warning that it could be dangerous.
“The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) is requiring SpaceX to conduct an accident investigation into the loss of a Starship vehicle during launch operations on January 16,” the agency said.
“There are no reports of public injuries, and the FAA is working with SpaceX and appropriate authorities to confirm reports of damage to public property in the Turks and Caicos Islands.”
It added that during the event, it temporarily activated a “debris response area” protocol that slows aircraft outside of the area where the debris fell or stops the aircraft at its departure point.
“Several aircraft requested diversions due to low fuel levels while waiting outside the affected area.”
Under established procedures, SpaceX must now conduct an “incident investigation” that includes identifying corrective actions, and the FAA will review the investigation before determining that the launch vehicle can return to flight. .
Alternatively, the company could seek an early return to flight if it can demonstrate sufficient safety measures and ensure that the accident does not pose a risk to the public.
The government of the Turks and Caicos Islands, an archipelago under British rule, confirmed that all planes were diverted during the incident, and posted dazzling photos and videos of meteor shower-like debris. caused a stir on social media.
Officials also met with experts from the UK Space Agency and repeatedly warned residents to avoid falling debris.
The public advisory states, “If possible, take a photo of the object next to another object (without touching it) to determine its size,” and “Space debris remains in the possession of the spacecraft.” It is the property of the individual.”


On January 16, 2025, Starship’s Super Heavy booster was grappled mid-air as it returned to its Starbase launch pad near Boca Chica, Texas.
mars rocket
Starship is the largest and most powerful rocket ever built and is key to Musk’s ambitions to colonize Mars.
NASA hopes to use a modified version of the rocket as a manned lunar lander for its Artemis mission to return to the moon.
Thursday’s unmanned launch was Starship’s seventh orbital test and the first using a taller, upgraded version of the rocket.
SpaceX, which dominates the commercial launch market with its flagship Falcon 9 rocket, highlighted its technological capabilities by capturing Starship’s first stage booster in the launch tower’s “chopstick” arm for the second time.
However, the victory did not last long as the team lost contact with the upper vehicle. SpaceX later acknowledged that an “unscheduled rapid demolition” had taken place, a euphemism for an explosion.
“Success is uncertain, but entertainment is guaranteed!” Musk quipped about X, sharing one of the many viral clips about the event.
He added that the cause of the explosion appeared to be an “oxygen/fuel leak” that caused an excessive pressure build-up.
“So far, there is nothing to suggest that the next launch will be postponed beyond next month,” he ventured.
© 2025 AFP
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