SpaceX starship test ends in mid-flight breakup, forcing flight diversions
SpaceX’s ambitious Starship programme faced a setback during its seventh test flight on Thursday, as the rocket's upper stage disintegrated mid-flight. The malfunction led to debris raining over the Caribbean and prompted temporary flight diversions in the region, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
What happened?
The test began with promise as SpaceX successfully executed a complex maneuver, catching the first-stage Super Heavy booster upon its return to the launch pad near Brownsville, Texas.
However, roughly 8.5 minutes into the flight, the upper stage of the rocket, known as Starship, experienced a propulsion anomaly (failures in the shaft lines, bearings, crankshafts, or foundations). Communications with the vehicle were lost, and debris was later observed falling into the ocean.
Elon Musk, founder of SpaceX, acknowledged the failure in a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter). “Success is uncertain, but entertainment is guaranteed!” he wrote, sharing footage of the debris. He later attributed the failure to an oxygen or fuel leak above the engine firewall, which caused excessive pressure buildup.
Success is uncertain, but entertainment is guaranteed! ✨
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 16, 2025
Musk outlined plans to address the issue, including adding fire suppression systems and increasing vent capacity, and indicated that the next launch could still proceed within a month.
Impact on air traffic
The FAA confirmed it had temporarily diverted flights around the affected area to ensure safety. Flight tracking services reported at least 20 aircraft altering their routes near the Turks and Caicos Islands. Normal operations resumed shortly after the debris fell into the ocean.
Broader implications
This test marked the seventh flight of Starship, a rocket that Musk envisions as a key component of future space travel, including missions to Mars. The mission, which carried 10 dummy satellites, was intended to complete a partial orbital loop. While SpaceX has achieved notable milestones, including launching the largest rocket ever built and recovering its booster stage, consistent reliability remains a work in progress.
In contrast, Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin achieved a milestone the same day, successfully launching its New Glenn rocket into orbit for the first time, intensifying the commercial space race. Musk later compared their rivalry to the comedic dynamic in Step Brothers, signaling optimism despite the setback.
Looking ahead
Despite the mid-flight failure, SpaceX emphasized that each test provides valuable data to improve the rocket's design and reliability. As Musk’s vision of interplanetary travel faces technical and regulatory hurdles, the Starship program continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in commercial space exploration.