The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating potential environmental damage from the failed launch of SpaceX's Starship rocket on April 20, Live Science reports..

Rocket launches suspended by the US government after claims that the explosive first rocket launch sent plumes of potentially hazardous debris into people's homes and habitats for endangered animals. The company will be able to resume launches only after an “accident investigation”.

The dramatic flight of the massive rocket began with a crater in the concrete under the launch pad and ended with the rocket exploding in the air about 4 minutes later.

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Debris and dust from the launch reportedly hit residents of Port Isabel, Texas, located 10 km from the launch site, and the beaches of Boca Chica, which are nesting sites for endangered animals, including birds and sea turtles..

Dave Cortez, director of environmental advocacy group Sierra Club, said Port Isabel residents have reported broken windows at their businesses and ash-like particles covering their homes and schools..

The SpaceX launch pad also suffered significant damage, including charred, twisted metal and broken concrete.. The force of the rocket's engines punched a hole in the launch pad and created a crater beneath it.. “The concrete flew out into the ocean, creating shrapnel that risks falling into the fuel storage tanks – shafts adjacent to the launch site,” Cortez said..

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Three months before launch, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said the company had begun work on "

He hopes SpaceX will be ready for relaunch in 1-2 months.

FAA investigation is standard practice when missiles go astray.

As debris from the Starship launch spread much farther than anticipated, the FAA's "