SpaceX executed a dramatic 'chopsticks' booster catch during its latest Starship test flight on Thursday, but the spacecraft itself broke up in the atmosphere, temporarily diverting flights over the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Successful Booster Catch
The Super Heavy booster was caught by the launch tower's mechanical arms, a key milestone in SpaceX's reusable rocket program. However, the Starship upper stage failed during its descent, breaking apart and creating bright orange and white streaks visible across the sky.
Flight Diversions and Debris
Videos captured by residents show debris trails along the spacecraft's flight path. In response, aviation authorities diverted flights to avoid potential debris, causing temporary disruptions. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the incident.
SpaceX Statement
SpaceX confirmed the booster catch but acknowledged the Starship failure. The company stated that the spacecraft experienced a 'rapid unscheduled disassembly' during reentry, and teams are analyzing telemetry data to determine the cause.
This test was part of SpaceX's iterative development process for Starship, which is designed for deep-space missions. Despite the setback, the booster catch represents significant progress toward fully reusable launch vehicles.
