**Astronauts Observe Starship Explosion from Orbit**
Astronauts stationed on the International Space Station had an intimate view of calamity on Thursday as SpaceX executed a test flight of **Starship**, the most formidable rocket and spacecraft system ever manufactured.
During the trial, **NASA astronaut Don Pettit** captured photographs of the spacecraft disintegrating in Earth’s higher atmosphere. He disseminated the striking images on X (formerly Twitter), the social media platform owned by **Elon Musk**, founder of SpaceX and a prominent supporter of former President **Donald Trump**.
> “We witnessed the Starship 8 disassembling in the upper atmosphere and descending back to Earth from the ISS,” Pettit stated.
### **Starship’s Eighth Test Flight Concludes in Disaster**
The **400-foot-tall Starship** lifted off from SpaceX’s **private launch facility in Boca Chica, Texas**, at 5:30 p.m. CT on March 6. This represented the eighth test flight of the enormous rocket system. However, similar to the earlier test in January, the mission ended disastrously when the spacecraft detonated less than 10 minutes into its journey—well short of its intended landing in the Indian Ocean.
In the January test, two bursts were noted near one of the ship’s engines shortly post booster separation. SpaceX later clarified that intense vibrations induced fuel leaks, which ignited fires leading to the **flight termination system** activation. Debris from that explosion fell over **Turks and Caicos**, including at least one report of property damage.
Despite the ongoing inquiry into the January incident, the **Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)** permitted SpaceX to proceed with this recent test. FAA spokesperson **Steven Kulm** remarked that the agency identified no safety threats that would hinder the launch.
> “The resumption of flight operations of the vehicle involved in the incident ultimately hinges on public safety,” Kulm noted.
### **Another In-Flight Disaster**
During Thursday’s test, Starship once again faced intense vibrations as it approached the end of its ascent. Several engines malfunctioned, resulting in the spacecraft losing control. Approximately **9.5 minutes post-launch**, flight controllers lost contact with the vehicle. Witnesses in the **Bahamas** soon reported observing debris descending from the sky, and flights in **Florida** were briefly halted to prevent potential dangers.
SpaceX confirmed that the rocket remained within a designated safety perimeter and that the company acted swiftly with air traffic and safety officials following the incident.
> “Any remaining debris would have descended within the pre-planned Debris Response Area,” SpaceX stated in a **post-flight report**. “There are no hazardous materials in the debris, and no major impacts to marine life or water quality are anticipated.”
The company urged anyone encountering Starship debris or experiencing property damage to reach out to its **debris hotline** at **1-866-623-0234** or email **[email protected]**.
### **SpaceX’s Hazardous Approach to Rocket Innovation**
SpaceX has encountered backlash for its **high-stakes, rapid development strategy**, which entails launching rockets frequently, even with an expectation of failures. In contrast to **NASA**, which adopts a more measured approach, SpaceX contends that **constructing, testing, and learning from setbacks** is the quickest path to enhancing space technology.
Musk has previously **lamented** that federal regulations impede SpaceX’s advancement. Some industry analysts speculate that his **close association with Trump** could facilitate the removal of regulatory hurdles for the company.
Despite these obstacles, **NASA is depending on SpaceX** to ferry astronauts to the Moon using a modified Starship for the **Artemis III and IV missions** under a **$4.2 billion contract**. Before that can transpire, SpaceX must first **demonstrate the capability to refuel Starship in space**, a vital prerequisite for deep-space initiatives.
For Musk, Starship encompasses more than just a lunar lander—he envisions it as the linchpin for **colonizing Mars** and establishing a self-sufficient city on the Red Planet.
> “With a test like this, success stems from what we assimilate,” SpaceX stated on **X**. “Today’s flight will assist us in enhancing Starship’s reliability.”