SpaceX’s Starship Explodes On Test Flight And Caused Flights Diversions - 1

Photo by SpaceX on Unsplash

SpaceX’s Starship Explodes On Test Flight And Caused Flights Diversions

  • Written by Andrea Miliani Former Tech News Expert
  • Fact-Checked by Justyn Newman Former Lead Cybersecurity Editor

SpaceX launched its Starship rocket on its seventh test flight this Thursday, but the rocket broke apart and burned during its ascent, just minutes after its launch. Multiple flights had to alter their routes due to falling debris from the rocket in the area.

In a Rush? Here are the Quick Facts!

  • SpaceX’s uncrewed Starship rocket explodes 8 min after its launch on Thursday.
  • The FAA shared a warning, and multiple airlines such as Spirit and JetBlue had to reroute flights to avoid the debris.
  • Many social media users in the Caribbean shared photos and videos.

According to Reuters , the space company lost communication with the rocket 8 minutes after its departure. The ship had no crew, it was carrying mock satellites the company expected to test in space.

“Starship experienced a rapid unscheduled disassembly during its ascent burn. Teams will continue to review data from today’s flight test to better understand the root cause,” wrote the company on the social media platform X. “With a test like this, success comes from what we learn, and today’s flight will help us improve Starship’s reliability.”

After the explosion, debris fell like shooting stars in the sky over the Caribbean, near Port-au-Prince, leaving also trails of smoke. The Federal Aviation Administration shared a warning for pilots and airlines: “Dangerous area for falling debris of rocket starship.” According to CNBC , many commercial flights from airlines like jetBlue and Spirit had to divert routes.

Many social media users in the Caribbean shared videos and photos of Starship’s debris falling.

Skyfall 💫 Starship rains down from the sky over Turks and Caicos in the most beautiful breakup the universe has ever seen pic.twitter.com/YcoD48WhVg — Mambo Italiano (@mamboitaliano__) January 16, 2025

The Starship rocket is part of SpaceX’s mission to Mars and Elon Musk’s vision to travel to the planet in a few years.

Nintendo Reveals New Switch 2 Console In Video Trailer - 2

Photo by Erik Mclean on Unsplash

Nintendo Reveals New Switch 2 Console In Video Trailer

  • Written by Andrea Miliani Former Tech News Expert
  • Fact-Checked by Justyn Newman Former Lead Cybersecurity Editor

The Japanese giant Nintendo has revealed its long-awaited Nintendo Switch 2 console in a video trailer this Thursday. The video game company announced that it will be available later in 2025.

In a Rush? Here are the Quick Facts!

  • Nintendo revealed a video trailer featuring the long-awaited Switch 2 console, which will be released later this year.
  • The new device will have a larger screen and controller, color variations, enhanced performance, and design.
  • Social media users shared mixed feelings about the new device.

In the animated video, Nintendo shows the new device’s main features and characteristics and its differences from the previous model. The upcoming console has a wider screen and controllers, new blue and red variations, enhanced performance, an additional USB-C port, and a redesigned kickstand.

Introducing #NintendoSwitch2 , the successor to Nintendo Switch, releasing in 2025. Learn more: https://t.co/m8FoQWfYcv pic.twitter.com/pDs2T1xIhv — Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) January 16, 2025

“Plays Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive games, as well as Nintendo Switch Games,” states the video at the end, confirming that players will be able to continue playing their favorite video games on the new console. Nintendo also suggested a new location or an update for the popular game Mario Kart, or an upcoming Mario Kart 9 in the trailer.

The video game company also shared a date, April 2nd, for an upcoming live event on Nintendo Direct.

Players had been expecting a new device for a long time—the Nintendo Switch was first launched in 2017 —and have expressed a range of reactions to the new Switch device, with opinions spanning from excitement to disappointment.

“A more powerful version of the Switch that is also backward compatible is pretty much all I wanted from the Switch 2. This will be a day one purchase for me,” wrote one user on the social media platform X. Others were expecting more innovation. “I blame Apple, and their lackluster approach at innovation, for Nintendo thinking a reskin is somehow an acceptable method to succeed in a competitive market,” wrote another.

Nintendo said in November that a new console was on its way and that games would be compatible with Nintendo Switch Online games, but the name of the new device—or its appearance—wasn’t confirmed until now.

Other video game companies have made recent announcements as well. This week, Maxis announced it will be hosting a 25-hour event to celebrate The Sims’s franchise 25th anniversary and will be launching kits and updates in the following days.