Elon Musk’s SpaceX launched a Starship rocket on Thursday but lost connection after liftoff. Musk said the spacecraft exploded while ascending. It marks the second consecutive failure for the company.
The company’s livestream showed the vehicle spinning before communication was lost. SpaceX said it was working with safety officials.
The explosion caused flight disruptions, forcing planes to divert in parts of the Caribbean and delays at the Fort Lauderdale and Miami international airports. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) managed air traffic to keep planes away from falling debris.
The FAA is investigating the cause, just as it did after a similar Starship explosion in January.
It is not the only setback for Musk. Tesla faces declining brand loyalty
The EV maker’s brand loyalty is dwindling as CEO Musk’s political ties impact sales. In 2022, out of the consumers surveyed, 22% said they would consider a Tesla for their second purchase. In 2024, that percentage fell to 7%.
Tesla’s China deliveries declined 49% in February. Its stock has also dropped 35% this year, erasing post-election gains.