SpaceX Starship splashes down in spectacular fireball after cutting short orbital flight around Earth

SpaceX’s massive Starship rocket erupted into flames as it splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on Monday, prematurely ending its first successful flight into orbit.

The rocket soared into space early Monday but had to cut its scheduled 10-hour flight around the globe short to ensure safety, the company said.

The rocket splashed down just north of Hawaii three hours into its flight, with Starship tipping over and getting engulfed in flames in a dramatic end to the mission.