February 16, 2025
Flights Diverted as SpaceX Starship Explodes Over Caribbean

Flights Diverted as SpaceX Starship Explodes Over Caribbean

Multiple flights in the Caribbean region have been forced to divert or hold as SpaceX’s Starship was destroyed during a test flight.
Fiery debris from SpaceX Starship over the Caribbean.
Screenshot via X

Multiple flights in the Caribbean region have been forced to divert or hold as SpaceX’s Starship was destroyed during a test flight. Video footage emerging on social media shows the destruction of the SpaceX Starship as it entered Earth’s atmosphere in the vicinity of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The prototype spacecraft malfunctioned minutes after its launch, and ground communications with the craft were lost.

SpaceX confirmed the destruction of its Starship, which had launched at 1637 CST from Starbase in Boca Chica, Southern Texas. The unmanned craft was operating its seventh test flight.

SpaceX Starship Self-Destructs Over Caribbean


The test flight was to be Starship’s first payload deployment test. The spacecraft was scheduled to fly multiple reentry experiments geared towards ship catch and reuse, and launch and return the Super Heavy booster.

Starship reported experienced an anomaly during its test flight, leading to its disintegration.

Debris from the failed test flight has been reported over the Caribbean region. The region is to the north of the Dominican Republic, including the British overseas territory Turks and Caicos Islands.

According to a brief statement by SpaceX, the unmanned Starship experienced a “rapid unscheduled disassembly”. This occurred during the ascent burn phase of the planned test flight.

FAA NOTAM for SpaceX Starship test flight 7

Flight Disruptions


Several scheduled flights in the Dominican Republic region have entered holding patterns or diverted as a result of the debris footprint from the failed spacecraft. Early reports suggest that the debris field has extended to an area beyond the planned footprint for the test flight.

Graphic of flights holding in Carribean due to SpaceX Starship explosion

FAA Issues with SpaceX Program


Elon Musk responded to the catastrophic destruction online, saying: “Success is uncertain, but entertainment is guaranteed!”

It remains to be seen whether aviation regulators are entertained by the disruption and potential safety implications for commercial aviation traffic. Today’s destruction of Starship follows recent news of multiple disruptions to Qantas flight services. Flights between Sydney and Johannesburg have been routinely delayed over past weeks due to falling debris from Musk’s Starlink satellites.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has had a series of issues with the SpaceX program to date.

  • 2023 Starship Explosion: The explosion of the Starship prototype during its first test flight in April 2023. This led to a lengthy investigation by the FAA. The agency grounded the program until SpaceX addressed safety concerns and implemented corrective actions.
  • Unauthorized Launches: SpaceX faced scrutiny for conducting launches without the necessary permits in 2023. This resulted in fines and delays for the company.  
  • Safety Violations: The FAA has also cited SpaceX for various safety violations, including failures to submit required safety data and to comply with launch requirements.  
  • Environmental Concerns: SpaceX’s Starship program has faced opposition from environmental groups due to concerns about its potential impact on the environment, including air and water pollution.

SpaceX plans to increase the annual cap on its Starship launches from five to 25. This will be subject to FAA approval.

Update 0145 UTC: Normal Flight Ops Resume


The FAA has advised that normal flight operations have resumed in the affected region of the Caribbean. The US regulator confirmed that flights were delayed or diverted earlier today as a precaution due to falling debris.

Elon Musk has provided further details regarding the source of the catastrophic failure of Starship in a post on X.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

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