The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and officials from the Turks and Caicos Islands have launched probes into SpaceX’s explosive Starship rocket test that sent debris streaking over the northern Caribbean and forced airlines to divert dozens of flights.
Government officials in Turks and Caicos said Friday that debris from a SpaceX rocket test that went awry fell over the Caribbean islands but that there have been no reported injuries so far and only minimal damages to property.
The explosion of the SpaceX Starship rocket over the Caribbean Islands forced flight delays and diversions and may have caused property damage below.
SpaceX's Starship mega-rocket exploded midair on Thursday, after which the FAA warned pilots of dangerous debris.
The United States on Friday grounded SpaceX's Starship and ordered Elon Musk's company to investigate why the spaceship spectacularly disintegrated in a fiery cascade over the Caribbean during its latest test mission.
SpaceX suspects a fire may have caused its Starship to break apart during liftoff and send trails of flaming debris near the Caribbean.
The FAA says it has grounded the Starship vehicle pending a mishap investigation, and it’s working with SpaceX to assess reports of property damage in Turks and Caicos.
While the midair destruction of SpaceX's Starship rocket made for an unsuccessful flight test, it also created an amazing visual.
A rocket from Elon Musk's SpaceX says one of its Starship rockets experienced "rapid unscheduled disassembly" on Thursday. Video of the rocket exploding was captured in Turks and Caicos. Video courtesy: Cailen Rotz via Storyful.
SpaceX suspects a fire may have caused its Starship to break apart during liftoff and send trails of flaming debris near the Caribbean. SpaceX's Elon Musk said preliminary indications are that leaking fuel built up pressure in the cavity above the engine firewall. The resulting fire would have doomed the spacecraft.
A group of people visiting the Turks and Caicos islands captured video of debris from the failed SpaceX rocket flying overhead, as the wreckage left behind a colorful stream of smoke.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and officials from the Turks and Caicos Islands have launched probes into SpaceX's explosive Starship rocket test that sent debris streaking over the northern Caribbean and forced airlines to divert dozens of flights.