SpaceX reported that its Starship rocket broke apart mid-flight, spreading debris on Thursday. This occurred during a test designed to assess the rocket’s capabilities. Videos shared online show that the rocket’s upper stage disintegrated somewhere over the Gulf of Mexico or the Caribbean Sea.

SpaceX Confirms Loss of Contact

Following the incident, SpaceX issued a statement confirming it had lost contact with the spacecraft. Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX, shared a video of the debris and added on X (formerly Twitter), “Success is uncertain, but entertainment is guaranteed!”

No Crew Aboard During Malfunction

Importantly, no one was aboard the Starship at the time of the malfunction. SpaceX reassured the public that the rocket is still undergoing tests for potential future missions to the moon and beyond. According to NBC News, the rocket’s seventh test flight began smoothly, with the booster lifting off successfully. The flight was meant to land at SpaceX’s “Starbase” launch site near Brownsville, Texas.

When Did the Problem Occur?

The issue arose shortly after SpaceX lost contact with the Starship. The rocket was out of touch just nine minutes after liftoff. Kate Tice, SpaceX’s senior manager of quality systems engineering, confirmed that the company had lost the spacecraft. SpaceX further stated on X that the incident was caused by a “rapid unscheduled disassembly.”

Starship experienced a rapid unscheduled disassembly during its ascent burn. Teams will continue to review data from today's flight test to better understand root cause.

With a test like this, success comes from what we learn, and today’s flight will help us improve Starship’s…

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) January 16, 2025

FAA Responds to the Anomaly

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a statement acknowledging the anomaly during SpaceX’s Starship Flight 7. The FAA assured that it is reviewing the situation and will provide an update in the near future.

Intended Trajectory of Starship

Earlier, SpaceX shared a video outlining the planned trajectory of the Starship. The rocket was supposed to launch from the southern tip of Texas, fly over the Gulf of Mexico, pass the Yucatan Peninsula, and continue east near Cuba. If the flight had proceeded as planned, the spacecraft was expected to splash down in the Indian Ocean.

Starship’s Design and Size

The Starship is SpaceX’s most powerful rocket, standing at an impressive 400 feet tall. It consists of two main components: the Super Heavy first-stage booster and the upper-stage Starship spacecraft.

Starship’s Role in NASA’s Artemis Mission

Looking ahead, Starship is set to play a critical role in NASA’s Artemis III mission, which aims to return astronauts to the moon. This historic mission is scheduled to take place in 2027. Additionally, Elon Musk has previously suggested that the Starship could be used for future missions to Mars. However, following the recent malfunction, the incident has triggered a safety review that could take several months before the rocket can proceed with its next missions.

Safety Review Following the Incident

Due to the malfunctions, a thorough safety review will now take place. SpaceX and the FAA will assess the cause of the issue and ensure the rocket meets the necessary safety standards before it can carry out its ambitious missions to the moon and Mars.