SpaceX Starship Explodes Mid-Air, Disrupting Flights Across Florida Airports
"During Starship's ascent burn, the vehicle experienced a rapid unscheduled disassembly and contact was lost," SpaceX stated.
On Thursday, March 6, SpaceX’s Starship rocket exploded in Texas following its launch, leading to temporary flight disruptions at several Florida airports.
A live broadcast of the event captured the moment the spacecraft’s engines shut down approximately eight minutes after takeoff. This occurred shortly after the booster successfully returned to the launch tower.
"We just saw some engines go out. It looks like we are losing altitude control of the ship," stated SpaceX communications manager Dan Huot during the webcast. Before contact was lost, the vehicle seemed to spin uncontrollably.
According to reports from CNN, The Hill, and The New York Times, the incident caused delays at Miami International Airport, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, and Philadelphia International Airport due to concerns over “space launch debris.”
Smaller airports catering to Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, and West Palm Beach also faced disruptions, per CNBC.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that it had "activated a Debris Response Area and briefly slowed aircraft outside the area where space vehicle debris was falling or stopped aircraft at their departure location."
Although flight schedules have returned to normal, the FAA has mandated that SpaceX conduct a "mishap investigation" into the explosion.
Watch Starship's eighth flight test → https://t.co/alyJTRtgTh https://t.co/7xtpEucyQB
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) March 6, 2025
In a post on X, SpaceX reiterated that "during Starship's ascent burn, the vehicle experienced a rapid unscheduled disassembly and contact was lost."
"Our team immediately began coordination with safety officials to implement pre-planned contingency responses," the statement added. The company committed to "review the data from today's flight test to better understand root cause."
"As always, success comes from what we learn, and today’s flight will offer additional lessons to improve Starship's reliability," the statement concluded.
A subsequent update on SpaceX’s website revealed that "prior to the end of the ascent burn, an energetic event in the aft portion of Starship resulted in the loss of several Raptor engines." The company further noted that "surviving debris would have fallen within the pre-planned Debris Response Area."
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has not yet addressed the incident.
A previous Starship test flight in January also ended in an explosion, causing debris to scatter over the Turks and Caicos Islands, CNN reported. Following Thursday’s mishap, officials from the Turks and Caicos government issued an advisory.
"We are in contact with the US FAA, SpaceX and UK agency leads to confirm the position. Post incident protocols have been engaged. The National Security Secretariat will continue to keep the public apprised as we work to ensure the safety and security of our Islands," the statement said.
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