The Federal Aviation Administration has paused SpaceX's the launch of its Starship rocket as the U.S. agency oversees an investigation by the private company of the breakup after a test launch Thursday.

A SpaceX Starship rocket broke up in space minutes after launching from Texas on Thursday, forcing airline flights over the Gulf of Mexico to alter course to avoid falling debris and setting back Elon Musk's flagship rocket program.

Starship Flight 7's upper stage was lost a few minutes into flight. Its booster stage was successfully captured upon its return to earth. The mission was an unmanned test. (Credit: Associated Press)