SpaceX’s massive Starship exploded in space just minutes after takeoff at SpaceX Starbase near Brownsville, Texas on March 7.
Live footage from cameras on the rocket shows several of its engines appearing to cut out as it traveled into space. Communication was lost with the rocket shortly after live footage showed it tumbling back down to Earth. The rocket was then destroyed as it re-entered the atmosphere; multiple perspectives on social media showed the burning debris from Starship streaking the sky.
Shortly after the incident, multiple temporary ground stops were ordered at airports across Florida due to “space launch debris,” including Miami International Airport and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, according to NBC News. The Federal Aviation Administration issued a “debris response area” during the explosion to prevent any planes from entering where the rocket’s debris was falling.
SpaceX has stated that any surviving debris that would have fallen in the debris response area does not contain anything that could be toxic or significantly affect marine life or water quality. The FAA said they are requiring SpaceX to carry out a mishap investigation into the explosion and its cause. SpaceX said they are conducting a thorough investigation in coordination with the FAA. Elon Musk, founder and CEO of SpaceX, describes the explosion as a “minor setback,”