The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) took a precautionary measure by temporarily halting air traffic at four Florida airports following the breakup of a SpaceX craft after launch. This incident raised concerns about potential falling debris and its impact on air travel safety.
SpaceX Breakup Incident
The SpaceX Starship vehicle disintegrated after the eighth flight test of the rocket that was launched from Boca Chica, Texas. This unexpected breakup led to the FAA’s decision to briefly pause flights into major Florida airports such as Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach, and Orlando due to potential space launch debris in the vicinity.
Flight tracking data from FlightRadar24 showed several flights holding position off the coast of Florida and over the Caribbean as a precautionary measure.
Previous Incidents and FAA Oversight
This marks the second instance of a Starship vehicle breaking up after reaching space, with the previous breakup occurring on Jan. 16. Following the earlier mishap, the FAA mandated SpaceX to conduct a thorough investigation.
After lifting the flight prohibition, the FAA allowed SpaceX to resume launches while maintaining oversight of the investigation into the January incident. However, the recent breakup prompted the FAA to initiate a new investigation into the latest flight failure.
Response and Contingency Plans
Although the Starship’s booster rocket successfully reentered the atmosphere and was safely recovered by the recovery vessel known as “Mechazilla,” the main vehicle itself encountered issues, leading to the breakup.
SpaceX reported that during the ascent phase, the Starship experienced a rapid disassembly and lost communication with ground control. The company immediately engaged with safety officials to implement contingency plans, which are subject to FAA approval and coordination.
Flight Resumption
The ground stops at the affected airports lasted approximately 50 minutes, with Miami being the last to lift the order and resume normal flight operations.
