SpaceX Starship explodes over Caribbean, causing spectacular light show – National | Globalnews.ca

May Be Interested In:Apple is reportedly partnering with Alibaba in China for AI features, and it makes sense after DeepSeek


SpaceX launched its seventh test flight of its Starship rocket on Thursday, but the spacecraft was destroyed following a booster catch back at the pad.

Elon Musk‘s company said Starship broke apart, calling it a “rapid unscheduled disassembly.” The rocket appeared to lift off from SpaceX’s launchpad at its Starbase facility near Brownsville, Texas, but eight and a half minutes into the mission, ground control announced that it had lost all communication with the ship.

Flights near the Turks and Caicos Islands were spotted diverting to avoid the debris from the explosion on Thursday and footage was shared of debris falling from the sky in the area.

Musk shared a video of the debris falling, writing, “Success is uncertain, but entertainment is guaranteed!”

The Federal Aviation Administration announced a brief slowdown of flights in and around the Florida area due to possible falling debris from the launch.

Story continues below advertisement

The spacecraft was supposed to soar across the Gulf of Mexico from Texas on a near loop around the world, similar to previous tests. SpaceX packed the new and upgraded model with 10 dummy satellites for practice at releasing them.

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

A minute before the loss, SpaceX used the launch tower’s giant mechanical arms to catch the returning booster, a feat achieved only once before. The descending super heavy first-stage booster hovered over the launch pad before being gripped by the pair of robotic arms, dubbed chopsticks.


Click to play video: 'Trump, Musk watch SpaceX’s 6th Starship test flight, splashdown in Texas'


Trump, Musk watch SpaceX’s 6th Starship test flight, splashdown in Texas


There were no astronauts on board the test flight mission and the last data received from the spacecraft indicated an altitude of 146 kilometres and a velocity of 13,245 km/h.

“Preliminary indication is that we had an oxygen/fuel leak in the cavity above the ship engine firewall that was large enough to build pressure in excess of the wind capacity,” Musk wrote on X a few hours after Flight 7 launched. “Apart from obviously double-checking for leaks, we will add fire suppression to that volume and probably increase vent area. Nothing so far suggests pushing next launch past next month.”

Story continues below advertisement

It was the seventh test flight for the world’s biggest and most powerful rocket. The mission marked the second time that SpaceX has been able to return and catch the stage booster using the launch tower.

NASA has reserved a pair of Starships to land astronauts on the moon later this decade, while Musk’s ultimate goal is Mars.

He also plans to launch actual Starlinks on Starships before moving on to other satellites and, eventually, crews.

—With files from The Associated Press


&copy 2025 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.



share Share facebook pinterest whatsapp x print

Similar Content

Defence Secretary John Healey visits RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus
UK to unveil plans for new defence industrial council
Unlocking the Secrets of Angel Number 808 in Your Daily Life
Unlocking the Secrets of Angel Number 808 in Your Daily Life
More athletic commission transparency in MMA is one key to improving the sport
More athletic commission transparency in MMA is one key to improving the sport
Shutterstock Germany - News - OpenAI Finance September 2024
OpenAI aims to become public benefit corp.
This Man Eats So Much Butter, Cheese, and Beef That Cholesterol Oozes From His Skin
This Man Eats So Much Butter, Cheese, and Beef That Cholesterol Oozes From His Skin
Crunchyroll Game Vault Valentines Day Lineup Plus New Addition - Spotlight Report
Crunchyroll Game Vault Valentines Day Lineup Plus New Addition – Spotlight Report
Trending Stories: What's Shaping the World Today | © 2025 | Daily News