The Federal Aviation Administration is ordering SpaceX to carry out a mishap investigation into what led to the explosion of the company’s Starship rocket mid-flight on January 16. Until SpaceX’s investigation report is approved by the FAA, the company will not be permitted to continue with any future Starship missions.
The launch initially appeared to progress smoothly, with Starship successfully lifting off from the launch pad and SpaceX managing to recover the ship’s boosters. However, just eight and a half minutes post-launch, the Starship spacecraft exploded, as detailed in SpaceX’s post-launch blog post. In reaction to the explosion, the FAA established a “Debris Response Area” and either slowed down or diverted nearby flights to avert further incidents, which led to significant delays for flights operated by multiple airlines, according to CNBC.
The FAA confirmed that there were no injuries caused by the falling debris, though they are “working to confirm reports of public property damage on Turks and Caicos.” SpaceX’s mishap investigation must identify not only the cause of the explosion but also outline the necessary corrective measures to prevent a recurrence. “Initial data indicates a fire developed in the aft section of the ship,” SpaceX reports.
This is not the first time Starship has ended in an explosive climax. Several Starship launches have concluded with explosions involving SpaceX’s boosters, the Starship spacecraft, or both. Nonetheless, the company is improving its ability to catch and reuse its Super Heavy boosters. The successful catch prior to the January 16 explosion marks only the second time SpaceX accomplished this feat. The first successful Super Heavy catch occurred in October 2024.
