Rikki Terry, a resident of Tega Cay, was on vacation with his family in the Caribbean when he took this terrifying video of the SpaceX Starship breakup on Thursday, January 16th, 2025. As the rocket broke apart, leaving a trail of debris in its wake, the video—which has now gone viral on social media—shows an unsettling flood of lights over the night sky.
The Terry family was on vacation when the strange incident occurred. Terry was fast to respond, reaching for his phone and beginning to record, catching the eerie scene of the spacecraft breaking apart.
The video offers a distinctive viewpoint on the unsuccessful launch by displaying the enormous debris field produced by the Starship’s disintegration. It acts as a clear reminder of the dangers that come with space flight and the significance of ongoing research and development.
On its seventh test flight, SpaceX’s Starship rocket—which was intended to be the most potent launch vehicle in the world—failed catastrophically. After launch, the rocket’s uncrewed upper stage broke apart, causing a debris shower over the Atlantic Ocean and a communication breakdown.
Pilots were warned about the falling debris by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and SpaceX verified that the debris fell inside designated hazard areas. To identify the failure’s primary cause, the business is now analyzing test flight data.
SpaceX is still dedicated to the development of Starship and its potential for interplanetary travel in spite of the setback. The business will keep improving the rocket’s capabilities and design since it sees these testing as essential learning milestones.
Terry’s footage serves as a reminder of the wonders and dangers of space travel, as well as the commitment needed to advance human understanding. It also emphasizes how the availability of contemporary technology allows for the capture of moments of extraordinary happenings that might happen even during a leisurely family vacation.