What significant secondary concern arises from a Starship breakup high above the ocean regarding flight safety?

Answer

Presenting a hazard to commercial aviation transiting those regions

The immense energy released when a vehicle like Starship breaks apart, even over the open ocean, creates risks that extend beyond the water itself. The resulting debris field, even if composed mainly of smaller fragments, poses a tangible physical hazard to any air traffic operating in the vicinity. This necessitates extensive and temporary airspace closures around the launch and predicted re-entry corridors to prevent debris from striking passenger planes or commercial aircraft. The public display of fiery debris falling from the sky serves as a stark reminder of the necessary safety precautions, emphasizing the need to maintain wide exclusion zones to protect ongoing flight operations.

What significant secondary concern arises from a Starship breakup high above the ocean regarding flight safety?

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Several people in the Bahamas witness debris from SpaceX ...

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