SpaceXs seventh test flight of its marquee rocket, Starship, ended with an unintentional fireworks show.
Starship launched from SpaceXs Starbase in Texas at 4:37 p.m. local time on Thursday.
SpaceX lost telemetry with the vehicle before the burn stage was completed.
Debris from a Starship rocket over Turks & Caicos.Credit: The Independent / YouTube
This happened about 8.5 minutes into the flight.
In other words, the rockets upper stage dramatically blew up in flight.
American Airlines told CNBC that it had fewer than 10 flights diverted, while Delta had four flights diverted.
The chaos is understandableno one wants an airliner to fly through rocket debris.
Any surviving pieces of debris would have fallen into the designated hazard area.
On the ground, Starships seventh flight was a success.
The Mechazilla towers chopstick-like arms successfully caught and secured the Super Heavy rocket booster out of the air.
Skyward, the seventh flight was a failure.
Thats what you call it when your rocket blows up and rains metal back down to Earth.
But SpaceX will take it in stride.
This latest incident could prompt a lengthy FAA inquiry.
The company is undoubtedly making progress when it comes to flying reusable rockets.
Clocks ticking, Mr. Musk.
News from the future, delivered to your present.
