SpaceX Seeks Mexico’s Aid to Recover Starship Debris

SpaceX reported difficulties recovering debris from the Starship explosion near the US-Mexico border and has requested assistance from Mexican authorities. Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum said her administration is investigating the security and environmental impact of rocket launches in Tamaulipas and is conducting a review to determine any violations of international law. 

SpaceX  stated that unauthorized individuals trespassing on private property have obstructed its recovery efforts and has offered resources to assist with the cleanup. The Starship spacecraft exploded in Texas during testing, producing a fireball and sending debris into the Rio Grande River near Matamoros, Mexico. SpaceX attributed the failure to a “major anomaly.” Video footage shows at least two rapid explosions lighting up the night sky.

“Despite SpaceX’s attempts to recover the anomaly-related debris, which is and remains the tangible property of SpaceX, these attempts have been hindered by unauthorized parties trespassing on private property,” the company stated on social media platform X.

Sheinbaum said the investigation will lead to further action because “there is indeed contamination,” adding that the government will initiate a process based on the findings.

This incident follows a similar Starship failure in March when the spacecraft exploded minutes after liftoff from Texas, prompting the FAA to halt air traffic over parts of Florida. Another January launch ended with a rocket breakup over Caribbean islands, causing minor damage in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

SpaceX’s Starship program, critical to Elon Musk’s plans for Mars exploration, has faced multiple setbacks in recent months due to these explosive failures.