Falling debris from the SpaceX Starship explosion yesterday created an atmosphere that resembled a meteor shower or a colorful fireworks show, based on videos shared by people in the area, but it also delayed flights.
The footage after the explosion was shared on social media redditSome of it was recorded inside planes flying nearby, and many flights were diverted around the debris field, or delayed until all the pieces touched down.
The Federal Aviation Administration said it had “momentarily slowed and diverted aircraft around the area where space debris was falling.” reuters,
Starship's 7th test flight was at least partially successful, the second conducted by SpaceX Super Heavy Booster successfully captured With its launch tower. This was the first time that one of the booster's Raptor engines was reused from a previous flight.
The launch was a test for a redesigned propulsion system, an improved flight computer, and the spacecraft's heat shield. It is not clear whether any of these were factors in the failure, but SpaceX says That, according to “preliminary data”, the explosion was likely the result of a fire in the stern of the ship.
The company says “Starship flew within its designated launch corridor” and “any surviving pieces of debris would have fallen within the designated danger zone.” Falling debris became visible in the evening sky over the Caribbean and was captured by many tourists who were both surprised and a little concerned about what they were seeing.
The last time SpaceX lost Starship during Third test flight last MarchAlthough this was the first flight where Starship completed its full duration ascent, SpaceX lost contact with the spacecraft shortly before it was expected to splash down in the Indian Ocean.