Summary
The FAA and Turks and Caicos officials are investigating SpaceX’s Starship rocket test explosion, which sent debris over the northern Caribbean, forcing flight diversions.
The upgraded Starship exploded over the Bahamas eight minutes after launch, scattering fiery debris that caused intense rumbling in the Turks and Caicos.
Residents described shaking walls and loud booms, likened to a small earthquake.
No injuries were reported, but property damage is under review.
SpaceX cited a fire in the rocket’s aft section as the cause of the failure during its seventh test flight.
I said basically proven out. They launched the booster and they got it back. What, specifically, do you think is the obstacle to reusing it? What insurmountable problem do they still have to work out? Obviously they’re going to continue refining the design, but the design fundamentally works.
Starship was being developed regardless of that contract. SpaceX is developing it to launch their Starlink satellites. The lunar lander contract is a bonus.