FAA Orders SpaceX to Investigate Starship Flight 7 Explosion, Debris Affects Turks and Caicos

Jan 17, 2025, 06:23 PM

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is requiring SpaceX to conduct a mishap investigation following the loss of its Starship vehicle during Flight 7 on January 16. The investigation is in response to the rocket's explosion and subsequent debris fallout, which reportedly affected areas outside of the designated hazard zones. The FAA activated a Debris Response Area due to debris falling outside the identified closed aircraft hazard areas, leading to the slowing and diversion of some flights. There are no reports of public injuries, but the FAA is working with SpaceX to confirm reports of property damage in Turks and Caicos. SpaceX has stated that the explosion was due to a fire inside the vehicle, while also claiming that all debris fell within the hazard zone, a claim that contradicts the FAA's activation of the Debris Response Area.