The Federal Aviation Administration ordered to stop Starship launches until the explosion in space investigation is completed

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) required SpaceX to conduct an investigation into the recent ship explosion Starshipwhose debris fell in areas of the Caribbeanmore than 400 miles from Puerto Ricoparticularly in the Turks and Caicos Islands, causing serious problems to commercial air traffic.

In a press release, the federal agency said it is working with SpaceX and the relevant authorities to confirm reports of damage to public property reported in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

“During the event, the FAA activated a Debris Response Area and briefly slowed aircraft outside the area where debris was falling or stopped aircraft at their departure location. “Several aircraft requested to divert due to low fuel levels while staying out of the impacted areas,” the federal entity added.

According to the FAA, an accident investigation is intended to improve public safety, determine the cause of the event, and identify corrective measures to prevent a recurrence.

“The FAA will participate in every step of the mishap investigation process led by SpaceX and must approve SpaceX’s final report, including corrective actions,” the agency said.

Likewise, the entity explained that a “Debris Response Area” is activated only if the space vehicle experiences “a debris anomaly,” so aircraft are ordered to leave the area and others are prohibited from entering the area. affected.

Although he did not include it in the statements sent to The New Daythe newspaper The New York Times reported that the federal agency detained temporarily launches Starship until the investigation is completed.

Elon Muskfounder of SpaceX, joked about the explosion in a post on xa social network of which he also owns, writing that “success is uncertain, but entertainment is guaranteed” along with a video of debris penetrating the atmosphere.

However, Musk, who was one of the main promoters of the president’s campaign donald trump In the 2024 elections, he is tasked with reducing federal government spending that includes agencies like the FAA.

According to a report published by The Associated PressStarship took off on January 16 on what was the seventh test flight.

The ship’s takeoff occurred at 5:37 p.m., and although the company made a successful capture of the main rocket, it then lost communication with Starship eight minutes after takeoff and while it was in space over the Atlantic Ocean.

Later, people in the Caribbean began posting photos and videos of the pieces of the ship burning as it re-entered Earth’s atmosphere. The debris field created by the explosion even forced the FAA to temporarily close the airspace over the state of Florida.

Although Aerostar Airport Holdingsadministrator of Luis Muñoz Marín International Airporthe indicated to The New Day on Thursday that In Puerto Rico, there were no delayed or canceled flights related to the debris field and airport operations were not affected.recordings of communications between the San Juan tower and commercial flights revealed that there was concern about the explosion, and several flights were ordered to enter a holding pattern due to the possibility of debris falling in the airspace between Puerto Rico and Florida.

Turks Islands government confirms minimal damage

For its part, the government of the Turks and Caicos Islands issued a statement on Friday highlighting that no injuries were reported due to falling debris from Starship, but minimal material damage was reported.

“At this time we are not aware of any specific risks related to the entry of space debris on Thursday, January 16. However, space objects can sometimes contain hazardous materials that can cause serious health damage,” the government said.

Therefore, citizens who find objects that they believe may be space debris were urged not to touch them, take a photograph and notify authorities.

Preliminary findings from SpaceX

According to The Associated Press, Musk indicated that preliminary findings point to a fire could have caused the incident.

He added that a possible fuel leak increased the pressure in the cavity above the engine firewall and that the resulting fire would have caused the explosion.

“Starship, the world’s largest and most powerful rocket, lifted off from the southern tip of Texas on a test flight early Thursday afternoon. The rocket returned to the pad to be picked up by giant mechanical arms, the second time in Starship history. But the engines of the ship, which continued to ascend, turned off one by one and communication was lost eight and a half minutes into the flight.”SpaceX detailed.

The New Day requested a reaction from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), but no response has been obtained.

In his X account, NASA administrator Bill Nelson indicated that “space flight is not easy. It’s anything but routine. “That is why these tests are so important.”