SpaceX rocket catches fire, explodes in mid-air shortly after launch, FAA investigates

SpaceX's Starship rocket explodes in mid-air shortly after liftoff, debris falls into sea; FAA investigates cause

On January 17, 2025, CNBC reported that SpaceX had launched its seventh Starship rocket but lost communication with the rocket's upper deck during ascent into space, nine minutes after launch. An investigation into the cause is currently underway.

The Starship 33 or Block 2 rocket lifted off from SpaceX's Starbase in Texas at approximately 17.30:16 p.m. Thursday (January 05.30), or 17:XNUMX a.m. Friday (January XNUMX) Thai time, with no crew on board.

Shortly after launch, the rocket's Super Heavy booster successfully returned to the launch site, but later exploded in mid-air.

SpaceX has confirmed that the rocket broke apart during liftoff and burned, and has announced plans to analyze data to determine the exact cause. The company later said initial data indicated a fire near the rear of the Starship rocket, damaging the rocket.

Social media users shared photos and videos of a fireball over the Caribbean islands, likely debris from a rocket that broke apart while re-entering the atmosphere. The launch trajectory of the Starship rocket matches these images, and SpaceX confirmed that the debris fell into the Atlantic Ocean within a designated danger zone, coordinated in advance with the Federal Aeronautics and Aviation Administration (FAA).

The FAA issued a warning about the debris, which led to flights by airlines including JetBlue, Spirit and FedEx being temporarily rerouted in the Caribbean, with air traffic returning to normal shortly after.

The FAA said there were no reports of injuries or property damage from the Starship debris and the agency is investigating the explosion.

Reference: cnbc.com

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