FAA grounds SpaceX Starship after upper stage failure

Investigation launched into the fiery disintegration of Starship over the Caribbean.

The SpaceX Starship rocket is seen on the launch pad during inclement weather on January 14, 2025, near Boca Chica, Texas. Photo by Sergio Flores/AFP/Getty Images

By Randy Ahmad and Hayu Andini

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has grounded SpaceX's Starship following a dramatic upper stage failure during its latest test flight. The incident occurred over the Caribbean, where the rocket’s upper stage disintegrated in a fiery cascade, raising concerns about safety and requiring further investigation.

Elon Musk's SpaceX is now mandated to conduct a "mishap investigation" to identify the cause of the failure and propose corrective actions. The FAA will review the findings and approve the necessary steps before allowing the Starship rocket to return to flight.

In compliance with FAA protocol, SpaceX is required to submit a detailed report outlining the reasons behind the mishap. The investigation will also assess potential corrective measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

"The FAA is requiring SpaceX to perform a mishap investigation into the loss of the Starship vehicle during launch operations on January 16," the agency announced.

While no injuries have been reported, the FAA is collaborating with SpaceX and local authorities to confirm reports of public property damage in Turks and Caicos. During the event, the FAA activated a "Debris Response Area" protocol, temporarily halting or rerouting aircraft near the debris zone.

"Several aircraft requested to divert due to low fuel levels while holding outside impacted areas," the FAA added.

SpaceX may also request an early return to flight if it provides evidence that preventative measures have been implemented and public safety was not compromised by the mishap.

Starship is the largest and most powerful rocket ever developed, representing a cornerstone of Elon Musk's vision to colonize Mars. NASA also plans to use a modified version of Starship as a human lunar lander for its Artemis missions, aimed at returning astronauts to the Moon.

Thursday’s uncrewed launch marked the seventh orbital test of Starship and introduced a taller, upgraded version of the rocket. The mission began successfully, with the rocket’s first stage booster achieving a major milestone by being caught in the "chopstick" arms of its launch tower for the second time—a demonstration of SpaceX’s technical capabilities.

The failure of Starship's upper stage

Despite early success, the mission took a turn when SpaceX teams lost contact with the rocket’s upper stage. The company later confirmed that the vehicle had experienced "rapid unscheduled disassembly," SpaceX’s characteristic term for an explosion.

This failure highlights the challenges of developing cutting-edge space technology, even for a company as experienced as SpaceX. The incident underscores the importance of rigorous testing and regulatory oversight in the pursuit of ambitious space exploration goals.

The grounding of Starship poses both immediate and long-term challenges for SpaceX. The rocket is central to Musk's vision of interplanetary travel, as well as NASA’s lunar aspirations. Any delay in the rocket’s development timeline could have cascading effects on these high-profile projects.

However, SpaceX’s proven track record with its Falcon 9 rocket, which dominates the commercial launch market, provides a foundation of confidence. The company’s ability to innovate and resolve technical issues quickly has been a hallmark of its success.

SpaceX is expected to move swiftly to address the FAA’s concerns and resume testing. The mishap investigation will likely yield insights that further refine the rocket’s design and safety protocols.

As the aerospace industry watches closely, this setback serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in pioneering new frontiers in space exploration. The Starship program remains a key part of humanity’s efforts to expand its presence beyond Earth, and its challenges are part of the journey toward achieving that goal.

With Elon Musk’s ambitious plans and SpaceX’s technical expertise, Starship is poised to overcome these hurdles and continue its journey toward becoming a reliable vehicle for lunar and Martian exploration.

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