Elon Musk’s SpaceX Mishap Puts Aviation Authorities On Alert After Explosion In Florida

A mechanical mishap rocked Elon Musk's SpaceX Starship rocket, causing multiple air travel disruptions.

On March 6, a SpaceX Starship rocket exploded shortly after taking off in Texas, resulting in the grounding of flights at several airports in Florida.

Elon Musk's Starship previously exploded during a test flight in January, causing debris to fall over Turks and Caicos. 

During a recent live stream, viewers witnessed a concerning incident when engines on the rocket shut down approximately eight minutes after launch, shortly after the booster had been successfully retrieved at the launch tower.

Dan Huot, SpaceX's communications manager, commented during the broadcast that the loss of engine power seemed to lead to a loss of altitude control of the spacecraft. The situation escalated as the spacecraft began to spin, resulting in a complete loss of communication.

During the incident, several media sources reported that flights from Miami International Airport, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, and Philadelphia International Airport experienced delays due to debris from a space launch. 

According to PEOPLE, smaller airports in West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Orlando, Florida, were also impacted.

In response, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) activated a Debris Response Area, which involved temporarily slowing down aircraft operating outside the debris area or halting departures at their originating locations.

After experiencing the mechanical issue, SpaceX was directed by the official governing body to conduct a detailed analysis through a mishap investigation. Despite this incident, regular operations have since returned to normal.

SpaceX reported via its X account that during the ascent burn of its Starship vehicle, it experienced a rapid unscheduled disassembly, resulting in the loss of contact. The company stated that its team promptly coordinated with safety officials to implement pre-planned contingency measures. 

They expressed their commitment to reviewing the flight data to determine the incident's root cause. SpaceX continued that an energetic event at the aft section of the Starship led to the loss of several Raptor engines before the ascent burn was completed. 

"As always, success comes from what we learn, and today's flight will offer additional lessons to improve Starship's reliability," the statement added. They reassured that any surviving debris from the incident fell within a designated Debris Response Area, as official protocol demands.

This is not the first time Musk's rocket would experience a severe glitch. In January, the Starship experienced an explosion during a test flight, which resulted in debris falling over the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The government of Turks and Caicos promptly issued an advisory statement after the launch that took place on Thursday, and the catastrophe that followed.

The official page assured that authorities are in communication with the US FAA, SpaceX, and relevant UK agency leaders to clarify the situation following the incident. 

They have also initiated post-incident protocols, assuring that the National Security Secretariat is committed to keeping members of the public informed as they prioritize the safety and security of the Islands.

Three years ago, The Blast shared that the tech guru's SpaceX company underwent a complete staff shakedown after his employee spoke about his concerning behavior since acquiring X (formerly Twitter).

The concerned staff urged SpaceX executives to condemn Musk's "harmful Twitter behavior" in their open letter. They were served the shock of their lives when the company turned around and relieved them of their duties.

In the letter, the employees at SpaceX expressed their concerns regarding Musk's behavior on Twitter, describing it as a significant source of distraction and embarrassment for the team, especially in recent weeks.

They referenced the company's "No A-shole" policy and called for a public condemnation of Musk's detrimental online conduct. 

The letter emphasized that, as the CEO and foremost spokesperson, Musk's tweets effectively serve as public statements for the company, highlighting the need to communicate that his messaging does not align with SpaceX's mission, values, or the work being done by the team.

In his personal life, the government official is battling some controversies. As shared by The Blast, the socialite's 13th baby mama finally surfaced and disclosed that she had welcomed a child with Musk.

Just hours after the news broke, St. Clair expressed her disappointment that Musk had completely ghosted her despite her attempts to reach out. She mentioned that they had been working on a private agreement regarding their child's upbringing, and she now needs Musk to follow through to finalize it. 

Brian Glicklich, a representative for St. Clair, stated on X that they are waiting for Musk to acknowledge his parental role to quell unwarranted speculation publicly. 

Glicklich emphasized that Ashley believes the billionaire intends to conclude their agreement swiftly, prioritizing the well-being and security of their child. He assured that St. Clair remains strong and focused, hoping for a response from Musk.

Hopefully, Elon Musk and his SpaceX team are right on top of the situation.