** SpaceX's Starship Rocket Explodes in Second Consecutive Launch Failure **
** SpaceX's Starship rocket experienced catastrophic failure shortly after liftoff from Boca Chica, Texas, on Thursday, marking the second such incident this year. The 123-meter rocket, which lifted off at 6:30 p.m. ET, began spinning uncontrollably and exploded a few minutes into flight, showering debris over southern Florida and the Bahamas, as confirmed by videos circulated on social media.
This incident follows a similar failure during a Starship flight in January, which ended prematurely with the rocket exploding eight minutes into its flight. SpaceX spokesman Dan Huot noted during a livestream that the company is familiar with the problems encountered, indicating ongoing difficulties within the program.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) instituted temporary flight restrictions at major airports in Florida, including Miami and Orlando, to address safety concerns related to potential debris from the explosion. SpaceX stated that contact was lost with the vehicle soon after it experienced a "rapid unscheduled disassembly" during its ascent.
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