The United States on Friday grounded SpaceX's Starship and ordered Elon Musk's company to investigate why the spaceship spectacularly disintegrated in a fiery cascade over the Caribbean during its latest test mission.

"During the event, the FAA activated a Debris Response Area and briefly slowed aircraft outside the area where space vehicle debris was falling or stopped aircraft at their departure location."

Friday 17 January, 2024: On Thursday 16 January 2025, debris from a failed SpaceX launch impacted the Turks and Caicos Islands. In the immediacy of the outfall, the Turks and Caicos Islands Airport Authority diverted all flights in TCI airspace as well as grounded all flights until an all

She said initially she thought maybe it was fireworks off in the distance, but the explosion's streaks kept crawling across the sky with amazing colors.

The FAA says it has grounded the Starship vehicle pending a mishap investigation, and it’s working with SpaceX to assess reports of property damage in Turks and Caicos.

The explosion of the SpaceX Starship rocket over the Caribbean Islands forced flight delays and diversions and may have caused property damage below.

A group of people visiting the Turks and Caicos islands captured video of debris from the failed SpaceX rocket flying overhead, as the wreckage left behind a colorful stream of smoke.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and officials from the Turks and Caicos Islands have launched probes into SpaceX’s explosive Starship rocket test that sent debris streaking over the northern Caribbean and forced airlines to divert dozens of flights.

While the midair destruction of SpaceX's Starship rocket made for an unsuccessful flight test, it also created an amazing visual.

Orange and white streaks are seen lighting up the sky in Turks and Caicos after the SpaceX Starship failed and broke up in the atmosphere. These videos are taken on the same pathway as the Starship was traveling on Thursday and where flights have been diverting in an apparent attempt to avoid debris.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Friday said it would require SpaceX to issue a mishap investigation after its Starship mega-rocket broke up after launch.