A SpaceX Starship spacecraft exploded in the upper atmosphere on January 16 after losing communication with the company. The incident occurred just minutes before the planned re-entry into the Indian Ocean.
The Starship, designed to be fully reusable, is a critical component of SpaceX’s plans for manned missions to the Moon and beyond. It consists of two main parts: the Super Heavy booster and the Starship spacecraft.
Debris from the explosion was spotted by residents in the Bahamas, but its impact on the environment is still unclear. Some experts suggest that sonic booms from re-entering debris could have caused damage, while others believe much of it fell into the ocean.
The incident has also raised concerns about atmospheric pollution. Researchers predict that up to 85 metric tons of pollutants could have entered the atmosphere, including metal oxides and nitrogen oxides, which can harm the ozone layer.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is conducting an investigation into the cause of the failure, with SpaceX CEO Elon Musk’s involvement likely to be a significant factor. The FAA plans to report its findings and recommend changes to clear the Starship for future flights.
For now, the Starship rocket remains grounded until the investigation concludes and potential damage is assessed.
Source: https://thestute.com/2025/02/07/spacex-starship-explodes-over-turks-and-caicos