Watch: SpaceX loses Starship on test flight
The US has grounded SpaceX’s giant Starship rocket while an investigation is carried out into why one exploded during its latest test flight.
The rocket’s upper stage dramatically broke up and disintegrated over the Caribbean after launching from Texas on Thursday, forcing airline flights to alter course to avoid falling debris.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said it was working with SpaceX and other authorities to confirm reports of property damage on the Turks and Caicos Islands. There were no reports of injuries.
Elon Musk’s company has been told to carry out a “mishap” investigation by the regulator, which will review the findings before deciding if Starship can return to flight.
The FAA confirmed it had activated a “debris response area” to briefly slow aircraft outside the area where debris was falling, or stop aircraft from leaving their departure locations.
It added that several aircraft asked to divert due to low fuel levels while being held outside the affected area.
Reuters
Debris from the rocket was seen over the Turks and Caicos Islands
Starship is the biggest, most powerf
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