An American tourist who was visiting Turks and Caicos was left shocked when he caught the explosion of SpaceX's Starship rocket on camera while relaxing on a beach

Dozens of commercial airplanes were forced to change course to avoid falling debris after a SpaceX rocket exploded over the Gulf of Mexico, Reuters reported. The massive Starship rocket broke up in space just minutes after launching from Texas on Thursday,

The latest test of Elon Musk's SpaceX Starship, gargantuan next-generation megarocket, ended with the upper stage dramatically disintegrating over the Atlantic,forcing airline flights over the Gulf of Mexico to alter course to avoid falling debris.

Starship broke up 8 minutes after launch, moments after its Super Heavy Booster was successfully caught by mechanical arms on ground

The rocket company said the space vehicle came apart during its ascent. Videos posted to social media showed debris streaking through the sky.

SpaceX launched its Starship rocket on its latest test flight Thursday, but the spacecraft was destroyed following a thrilling booster catch back at the pad. Elon Musk’s company said the spacecraft's six engines appeared to shut down one by one, with contact lost just 8 1/2 minutes into the flight.

Elon Musk’s company revealed that the spacecraft’s six engines shut down one by one, leading to the loss of contact and the mission’s abrupt end. The spacecraft was supposed to soar across the Gulf of Mexico from Texas on a near loop around the world similar to previous test flights.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A SpaceX Starship rocket broke up in space minutes after launching from Texas on Thursday, forcing airline flights over the Gulf of Mexico to alter course to avoid falling debris and setting back Elon Musk's flagship rocket program.