ORLANDO, Fla. — An investigation is underway after a SpaceX Starship rocket exploded after its launch, causing a large debris field to come crashing back to Earth.
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People in Haiti and Turks and Calicos said it looked like shooting stars as the Starship’s debris burned during reentry.
The explosion happened around 8 minutes into the launch as Starship flew from the Gulf of Mexico and over the Caribbean.
Watch the full launch video here:
Watch Starship's seventh flight test → https://t.co/QNCSPTewLA https://t.co/wWJtyFMrfI
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) January 14, 2025
SpaceX said the debris from the rocket explosion fell into the Atlantic Ocean.
The Federal Aviation Administration slowed flights in parts of Florida Thursday evening due to concerns over the rocket debris.
Photos: SpaceX Starship 7 rocket launch ends in explosion
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Over 75 flights were delayed or canceled at Orlando International Airport after the rocket explosion.
Despite the unplanned detonation, SpaceX also saw success in Thursday’s launch.
Watch: SpaceX’s latest Starship test ends as ship explodes over Atlantic Ocean
SpaceX was able to catch its Super Heavy rocket booster back at the launch pad.
A rocket launch tower using so-called “chopstick” arms to grab the reusable booster out of the air as it returned to the launch site.
Read: NASA selects SpaceX to develop spacecraft to deorbit International Space Station
SpaceX hopes to use Starship and Super Heavy rocket to one day carry people to the moon and Mars.
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