Three flights at risk after SpaceX rocket exploded sending debris raining down
Metro4 days
Report: January SpaceX Explosion Caused Mid-Air Flight Safety Issues
Did SpaceX follow safety protocols with zero risk, or did Starship debris endanger hundreds of passengers on flights?
Above: SpaceX's Starship spacecraft sits atop the Super Heavy rocket at SpaceX's facility in Boca Chica, Texas in March 13. 2024. Image credit: Jon Shapley/Houston Chronicle/Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
The Wall Street Journal peddled a completely false narrative about Starship endangering aircraft. Every rocket launch has pre-coordinated safety zones, and planes are never allowed in danger paths. SpaceX followed all established protocols with hazard areas managed by the Space Force and FAA, ensuring zero risk to any aircraft.
Narrative B
Starship's January explosion scattered burning debris across the Caribbean, forcing three flights with 450 passengers to declare fuel emergencies and fly through restricted zones. The FAA documented potentially catastrophic risks to aviation safety. Expert panels concluded that rocket accidents pose serious threats to air traffic that demand urgent review.