A rocket launched by Elon Musk's SpaceX exploded during a test flight on Thursday, sending fiery debris raining down over Earth.
The space firm has described the incident as "a rapid unscheduled disassembly" during ascent - which later sparked flight disruptions across American airports as fallout fell from the sky.
The 403-foot rocket blasted off from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas, at 6.30pm local time (12.30am UK time) - but within minutes of launch, contact with the spacecraft was lost as it went into an out-of-control spin.
Engines on top of the Starship began shutting down as the spacecraft streaked eastward.
It remains unclear exactly where the craft came down - but its booster rocket safely returned to Earth
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The flight was intended to be a controlled entry over the Indian Ocean, though it remains unclear exactly where the rocket came down following the malfunction.
Videos from Florida and the Caribbean showed flaming debris streaming across the sky after the failed launch.
The dramatic scenes were visible from multiple locations, including near famed Nasa launch site Cape Canaveral.
The incident marks another setback for SpaceX's ambitious Starship programme - coming just months after a previous failed launch attempt of the same rocket system.
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Videos from Florida showed flaming debris streaming across the sky after the failed launch
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More dramatic images of the debris - which sparked flight cancellations across Florida on Thursday night
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But Musk's pioneering firm has vowed to learn from the explosions, pledging that the "flight will offer additional lessons to improve Starship's reliability".
The Federal Aviation Authority issued a ground notice for multiple flights following the test launch.
Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach and Orlando airports were all affected by the notice.
The flight groundings were specifically attributed to "space launch debris" concerns.
The temporary flight restrictions remained in place until 8pm eastern time (1am UK time).
The debris field appears to have been substantial enough to impact operations at several major transportation hubs across the state.
PICTURED: The 'Super Heavy booster' returns to its launch pad after carrying Starship into the sky
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In a statement, SpaceX said: "During Starship's ascent burn, the vehicle experienced a rapid unscheduled disassembly and contact was lost."
The company added that their team "immediately began coordination with safety officials to implement pre-planned contingency responses."
SpaceX has committed to reviewing data from the test flight to better understand the root cause of the failure.
"As always, success comes from what we learn, and today's flight will offer additional lessons to improve Starship's reliability," the statement continued.
