An explosive test flight of SpaceX's Starship rocket in January placed multiple passenger aircraft in serious jeopardy, according to newly revealed Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) documents. The incident occurred when the uncrewed spacecraft was destroyed less than ten minutes after its launch from Texas.
Mid-Air Hazard Over the Caribbean
The seventh major test flight of the colossal Starship vehicle, part of CEO Elon Musk's ambition to enable life on Mars, ended in a rapid unscheduled disassembly during its ascent. While the flight lasted around eight minutes and achieved a booster catch manoeuvre, the subsequent explosion created a dangerous debris field over the Caribbean Sea.
FAA records show that three commercial jets, carrying a total of 450 passengers and crew, were operating in the area at the time. One of these was a JetBlue flight bound for San Juan, whose crew was reportedly advised they could only proceed at your own risk.
The risks were substantial. Debris from the disintegrating rocket was scattered across the sky for nearly an hour, forcing air traffic controllers to establish a temporary no-fly zone. The situation escalated to the point where a controller had to intervene after two aircraft flew too close together in the aftermath. All three planes were ultimately forced to declare fuel emergencies but landed safely.
Communication Failures and Regulatory Scrutiny
The FAA's investigation highlighted a critical failure in protocol. SpaceX did not immediately call the official hotline required to report launch failures to air traffic control. Consequently, controllers in Miami first learned of the hazardous debris from the pilots who were navigating through it, rather than from the company itself.
In response to this and a subsequent test vehicle explosion in March, the FAA began a review in February on how to better manage potential debris from rocket launches. However, this review was concluded in March, with the agency stating its recommendations had been implemented and that further consultation would require engaging experts outside the United States.
The FAA stated it 'will not hesitate to act if additional safety measures are required.' This proactive stance will be crucial as the agency anticipates overseeing 200 to 400 rocket launches annually in the coming years, many of which may involve SpaceX's 403-foot-tall Starship, the most powerful rocket ever developed.
The Path to Mars and Persistent Risks
Prior to the January launch, Musk had framed the mission as another step toward Mars, stating, 'Every Starship launch is one more step closer towards Mars.' The test featured significant upgrades, including more propellant, a redesigned propulsion system, and the carriage of ten dummy satellites.
SpaceX's official statement on X attributed the loss to the 'rapid unscheduled disassembly,' emphasising that success in testing comes from the data gathered. The company declined to comment on the FAA's findings regarding the threat to passenger aircraft. A JetBlue spokesperson expressed confidence that its flights avoided any areas where debris was observed.
This incident underscores the growing challenges of regulating increasingly frequent commercial space launches and ensuring they coexist safely with established international air travel corridors.
