The aftermath of SpaceX's Starship launch: catastrophic damage and indefinite grounding.

SpaceX's Starship launch caused "catastrophic" damage to the launch pad and surrounding area, with debris and dust spreading several miles from the site. The launch pad's concrete material cracked due to the heat and force of the rocket engines firing, causing erosion of the material. The disintegrated launch pad meant that the dirt beneath the concrete was eroded, too, throwing up large quantities of dust, which could potentially be harmful to human health and the local environment. The FAA is currently investigating the incident, and SpaceX will install a steel plate at the pad before trying for another launch within the next month or two.