Plane Passengers Witness SpaceX Starship Explosion Mid-Flight
Passengers on a Chicago-bound Frontier Airlines flight had an unexpected view of SpaceX’s Starship explosion on March 6, 2025. The blast, captured on video by two passengers, forced the plane to return to Punta Cana for safety reasons.

Mid-Air Encounter & Flight Disruptions
Mariah Davenport and Dane Siler saw flaming debris outside their window before the pilot announced the need to reroute. The FAA issued ground stops at multiple Florida airports, and several flights were diverted to avoid falling debris. 
Past Incidents & Growing Concerns
This isn’t the first time aviation has been affected by space debris:
2021: China’s Long March 5B rocket caused global concerns after an uncontrolled re-entry.
2022: A Delta flight rerouted due to debris from a Russian missile test.
2023: Previous SpaceX Starship failures scattered debris over the Gulf of Mexico.
How to Prevent Future Incidents
With space activity increasing, better coordination between space agencies and aviation authorities is crucial. Key solutions include:
✅ Improved flight risk assessments to keep commercial aircraft clear of debris zones.
✅ Real-time tracking & AI-based forecasting to predict and avoid falling debris.
✅ Stronger safety regulations ensuring controlled rocket reentries.
Conclusion
As space exploration grows, ensuring the safety of air travelers must be a priority. Incidents like this highlight the urgent need for better policies and coordination to prevent flights from being caught in space mishaps.