Starship’s ‘rapid unscheduled disassembly’ disrupts air traffic

Dramatic video footage flooded social media after SpaceX’s Starship rocket exploded after lift-off on Thursday.

Air traffic was disrupted along the route after the “vehicle experienced a rapid unscheduled disassembly and contact was lost,” according to the Elon Musk-owned space technology company.

“Our team immediately began coordination with safety officials to implement pre-planned contingency responses,” SpaceX explained.

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.

We will review the data from today’s flight test to better…

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) March 7, 2025

The 400-foot-tall rocket was on its eighth test flight when it launched after 6:30 p.m. EST from Texas. But less than 10 minutes into the flight, communication was lost with the rocket and it exploded in a fiery wreck that rained down debris as it spun out of control.

EYES ON THE SKY: SpaceX’s Starship — the largest rocket system ever built — failed during its latest test flight when its upper stage exploded in space. Its debris lit up the sky and disrupted air traffic at airports from Florida to Pennsylvania. pic.twitter.com/joA7TK82x8

— Fox News (@FoxNews) March 7, 2025

The Federal Aviation Administration briefly halted flights to several airports.

“Departures from Florida’s two airports — Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and Miami International Airport — were delayed by up to 45 minutes due to ‘space launch debris,’” The Hill reported. “The departures from the Philadelphia International Airport were delayed by upwards of half an hour for the same reason, according to the FAA data.”

This is a view of Starship’s Rapid Unscheduled Disassembly last night as seen from a plane. Quite the view. And a small price to pay for progress. pic.twitter.com/ausinIt2oy

— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) March 7, 2025

“During the event, the FAA 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,” the FAA said in a statement. “Normal operations have resumed.”

The agency said it is “requiring SpaceX to perform a mishap investigation into the loss of the Starship vehicle during launch operations on March 6.”

“We just saw some engines go out. It looks like we are losing altitude control of the ship,” SpaceX communications manager Dan Huot said during the live stream of the launch.

SpaceX said on its website 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 also explained that “surviving debris would have fallen within the pre-planned Debris Response Area.”

The rocket’s heavy booster successfully returned to the tower.

Mechazilla has caught the Super Heavy booster! pic.twitter.com/JFeJSdnQ5x

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) March 6, 2025

Images from the sky filled social media after the explosion, the second time for Starship, which had a rocket explode in January.

Important to note that Starship 8 is a test flight. SpaceX is working to improve the rocket and make it the safest in the world

It’s NOT a failure!pic.twitter.com/uGWCVPZdw0

— Dima Zeniuk (@DimaZeniuk) March 6, 2025

Senior Staff Writer
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.

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