A SpaceX Starship rocket broke up just minutes after launching in Texas, forcing flights over the Gulf of Mexico to change course to dodge falling debris and setting back Elon Musk’s flagship rocket programme.

La nave espacial Starship sufrió un “desmontaje rápido e imprevisto durante su ascenso”, confirmó Space X tras las fallas en el vuelo de prueba.

The latest SpaceX Starship prototype test ended in failure, with the rocket breaking apart minutes after launch from Texas on Thursday. The mishap marks a significant setback for Elon Musk’s ambitious plans to revolutionise space travel.

Evasive Maneuvers While it may have provided an eye-popping spectacle for spectators on the ground, the mid-flight explosion of SpaceX's Starship on Thursday evening posed a serious threat to nearby aircraft.

Elon Musk addressed the unexpected breakup of SpaceX's Starship rocket, noting an internal fuel leak caused the incident.

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.

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.

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

President-elect Donald Trump has said he wants to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to something more American. Trump was speaking at a press conference on Tuesday from Mar-a-Lago when he made the remark.