SpaceX’s Starship rocket exploded after lift-off in Texas on Thursday, March 6, leading to flights being grounded at multiple airports in Florida. The live stream showed engines cutting off from the rocket around eight minutes into the launch, leading to a loss of altitude control and spacecraft spinning before communication was lost. Flights from major airports like Miami International Airport and smaller regional airports were impacted due to space launch debris.
The Federal Aviation Administration activated a Debris Response Area and temporarily halted aircraft in affected areas. Normal operations have since resumed, but the FAA has ordered SpaceX to conduct a mishap investigation. SpaceX stated that the rocket experienced a rapid unscheduled disassembly during ascent and vowed to review the data to understand the root cause and improve reliability.
The incident marks the second time a Starship rocket has exploded during a test flight, with the previous incident occurring in January. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has not commented on the latest failure. Authorities in Turks and Caicos released an advisory following the launch to ensure safety and security. Overall, the incident highlights the challenges and risks associated with space exploration, emphasizing the need for ongoing improvements and safety measures in the industry.
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