SpaceX test flight failed! Starship rocket disintegrated after launch, FAA warns planes to avoid debris zone.

SpaceX's Starship rocket completed its seventh test flight, carrying the dream of human spaceflight on the highest and most powerful rocket in history. However, in the launch on January 11, the rocket failed to complete the flight mission, lost contact and disintegrated during the climb, triggering an emergency warning from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States. This incident not only concerns the technical challenges of the rocket, but also affects air traffic and has become a focus of global attention.

The rocket lost contact after liftoff, and SpaceX confirmed the 'mission failure'

SpaceX launched the Starship rocket from the "Starbase" in Texas on Thursday afternoon. However, nine minutes after launch, the rocket's data transmission was interrupted and contact was lost. SpaceX's live broadcast showed that Starship failed to complete the scheduled space flight.

"We have confirmed the loss of the rocket." SpaceX confirmed this news in the live broadcast. The company later stated on the social media platform X that the rocket disintegrated during the ascent, and further investigation will be conducted into the cause of the failure. Preliminary data indicates that the rocket's tail may have been damaged by fire, leading to the eventual disintegration.

Debris falls into the Atlantic, FAA issues flight warning urgently.

Shortly after the rocket lost contact, several social media users posted photos and videos that appeared to show a suspected fireball in the sky over the Caribbean Sea. According to SpaceX's statement, the rocket debris fell into the 'pre-designated hazard area' in the Atlantic Ocean. These areas had been coordinated with the FAA before the launch.

FAA subsequently issued a warning to pilots, stating that the debris from the Starship could pose a threat to the airspace in the Caribbean region. According to flight tracking website FlightAware, several flights passing through the area, including JetBlue, Spirit, and FedEx flights, were forced to divert or return. The FAA later stated that these flights had resumed normal operations after a brief period of control.

SpaceX and the FAA are jointly conducting an investigation, with no reports of casualties

The FAA has now begun investigating this abnormal event. According to regulations, after a mid-flight failure of the rocket, the relevant company must conduct an accident investigation and take corrective measures before obtaining the next launch permit.

Fortunately, a FAA spokesperson told the media that the rocket debris did not cause any injuries or property damage. Since no personnel were on board for this test flight, SpaceX will be able to focus on technical improvements and future development.

Starship's mission: to change the aerospace landscape with a rocket behemoth

According to CNBC, as the tallest (403 feet) and most powerful rocket in history, the Starship system consists of the 'Super Heavy' booster and the upper stage Starship. The booster is equipped with 33 Raptor engines, with a thrust of 16.7 million pounds, nearly twice that of NASA's Space Launch System (SLS).

The Starship launched this time (codenamed Ship 33) is its second-generation design, including multiple upgrades such as improved nose cone design, upgraded propulsion system, stronger flight computer, and redesigned heat shield. These improvements are aimed at enhancing rocket performance and reliability, laying the foundation for future manned lunar missions and deep space exploration.

From Test to Practical Use: Carriers of Future Space Missions

SpaceX founder Musk hopes that Starship will become the main transportation tool for humans to go to the moon, Mars, and even further deep space. This rocket is not only the core component of NASA's Artemis lunar program, but also the key to SpaceX's large-scale deployment of the new generation Starlink satellites.

Although this test flight was not successful, each test paves the way for technological advancement. Musk's goal is to achieve complete reusability of rockets, significantly reducing the cost of space travel and making human space exploration more frequent and cost-effective.

This article SpaceX test flight failed! Starship rocket disintegrated after takeoff, FAA warns planes to avoid debris area first appeared on Chain News ABMedia.