The US has grounded SpaceX's Starship rocket as an investigation unfolds regarding an explosion during its recent test flight. The rocket's upper stage disintegrated above the Caribbean after launching from Texas on Thursday, leading airlines to adjust flight paths to avoid debris.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is collaborating with SpaceX and other authorities to verify reports of property damage on the Turks and Caicos Islands, with no injuries reported. Elon Musk's company must conduct a mishap investigation before potential approval for Starship to resume flights.
Described as the largest and most powerful rocket ever built, Starship is crucial to Musk's plans for Mars colonization. The latest test, Starship's seventh mission, involved an upgraded taller version of the rocket slated for a controlled splashdown in the Indian Ocean post-launch.
Following a successful Super Heavy booster separation, spacecraft teams lost contact with the upper stage, leading to SpaceX confirming an unexpected disassembly. Musk indicated a preliminary issue related to an oxygen/fuel leak above the ship engine firewall.
SpaceX envisions Starship as a 123m tall fully reusable spacecraft intended for various missions, including NASA's Artemis human lunar lander plans. Musk aims for Starship to facilitate Mars travel and eventually dominate the space vehicle market alongside Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin company, which also achieved a significant milestone with the launch of its New Glenn rocket system.