SpaceX Starship Explodes Again During Test Flight, Causing Flight Delays and FAA Investigation
SpaceX's Starship rocket exploded shortly after launch from Texas, leading to investigations and disrupted flights across several U.S. cities due to falling debris.
The mixed outcome comes after SpaceX’s seventh test-flight in January ended with the mid-flight breakup of the Starship, forcing airlines to divert flights to avoid falling debris.
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Thursday's launch echoed the previous Starship demonstration on Jan. 16 ended in a fiery explosion after the Starship vehicle was lost during its suborbital flight.
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It's the spacecraft's second consecutive test flight from Elon Musk's space technology company to end in destruction, after another such explosion nearly two months ago.
SpaceX Starship rocket explodes after launch for second time this year
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Summary
SpaceX's Starship rocket experienced a catastrophic failure moments after its launch from Boca Chica, Texas, on March 6, resulting in flight delays across U.S. airports due to falling debris. The Federal Aviation Administration has mandated an investigation into the incident. SpaceX reported that during ascent, the rocket underwent a 'rapid unscheduled disassembly,' losing several engines and communication. This incident marks SpaceX's second failed test flight within two months, although the booster rocket was successfully recovered. The company aims to learn from the incident as it continues its mission in aerospace exploration.
Perspectives
SpaceX's Starship launched but exploded shortly after takeoff, leading to debris falling and causing flight delays in multiple U.S. cities.
The FAA has initiated a mishap investigation following the incident, requiring SpaceX to identify the cause of the explosion and implement corrective actions.
Despite the failure, SpaceX successfully returned its first-stage booster to the launchpad, indicating some progress in their testing process.