On January 16, SpaceX launched its Starship rocket from Texas, but the spacecraft reportedly broke apart due to a suspected fire. The explosion caused a spectacular display in the sky caught on camera by a man named Dean Olson, while on vacation in Turks and Caicos.
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CBS News shared the man’s incredible footage on TikTok along with the caption, “SpaceX launched its huge Super Heavy-Starship mega rocket on its seventh test flight Thursday but lost its new-generation Starship upper stage spacecraft in the process, which apparently broke up as it was reaching space. Falling debris from the destroyed Starship briefly delayed airline traffic out of Miami, Florida, federal officials said. SpaceX successfully caught the first stage booster back at its firing stand.”
Someone commented, “Even though it was breaking apart it was still beautiful.”
Another person felt the explosion was reminiscent of a cartoon, “Those autobots and Decepticons bruh.”
The SpaceX Starship Was On Its Seventh Test Mission When The Explosion Occurred
Per CBS News, due to the explosion, the FAA wants a thorough investigation.
“The FAA is requiring SpaceX to perform a mishap investigation into the loss of the Starship vehicle during launch operations on Jan. 16,” the FAA said in a statement. “There are no reports of public injury, and the FAA is working with SpaceX and appropriate authorities to confirm reports of public property damage on Turks and Caicos.”
SpaceX also released a statement regarding the Starship explosion that reads in part, “The Starship upper stage successfully lit all six Raptor engines and performed its ascent burn to space,” the company said on its web page. Prior to the burn’s completion, telemetry was lost with the vehicle after approximately eight and a half minutes of flight. Initial data indicates a fire developed in the aft section of the ship, leading to a rapid unscheduled disassembly.”
This story’s featured image is by Miguel J. Rodríguez Carrillo/Getty Images.
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