The Federal Aviation Administration has halted the launch of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket pending an investigation into what caused a first-stage booster failure. crash into a lander The move came after the two companies cooperated on the launch of a new set of Starlink internet satellites early Wednesday morning.
rear stand up SpaceX canceled its planned crewed Polaris Dawn launch late Tuesday due to unfavorable long-range forecasts, but pressed ahead with the first of two planned successive Starlinks launches from Florida and California.
But the second flight was aborted after the first stage used for the Florida launch crashed into the Atlantic Ocean and overturned while attempting to land on a SpaceX drone parked several hundred miles northeast of Cape Canaveral.
SpaceX
The FAA said an investigation was needed and that it was effectively grounding SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rockets, including the Polaris Dawn booster, until the investigation was completed and corrective measures were approved.
“The return to flight of the Falcon 9 booster rocket is based on the FAA’s determination that any systems, processes or procedures associated with the anomaly do not affect public safety,” the FAA said in a statement.
“In addition, SpaceX may be required to apply to the FAA for and receive approval for an amendment to its license to incorporate the corrective measures and satisfy all other license requirements,” the FAA said.
Late Tuesday, SpaceX was scheduled for Wednesday Polaris Dawn MissionThe launch, which would have been the first privately-operated non-governmental spacewalk, will be postponed until Friday at the earliest due to weather conditions expected for the splashdown at the end of the mission. The launch has now been postponed indefinitely pending an investigation into the landing incident.
The failed landing ended a streak of 267 consecutive successful booster recoveries since February 2021. However, the Falcon 9 second stage successfully delivered 21 Starlink internet satellites into their planned orbit.
The first stage landing appeared normal until the moment of touchdown, when more flames than usual were visible around the base of the rocket as it approached the deck. The landing gear broke off immediately upon touchdown, and the booster, engulfed in flames and smoke, tumbled over the side of the lander into the Atlantic Ocean.
SpaceX
SpaceX
SpaceX
“Following a successful ascent, the Falcon 9 first stage booster tumbled after landing on the A Shortfall of Gravitas drone,” SpaceX said in a social media post. “Teams are currently assessing the booster’s flight data and condition.”
This was the 23rd and final launch and landing of first stage B1062, setting a new reuse record. SpaceX is working to certify each Falcon 9 first stage for up to 40 flights.
Shortly after the Florida Starlink deployment, the company canceled its California launch, scheduled for 5:58 a.m. EDT, to allow engineers time to review telemetry and video footage for signs of trouble that could affect other rockets.
“We’re pausing tonight’s second @Starlink launch to give our team time to review booster landing data from the previous launch,” SpaceX said. “We will announce a new launch date once it is available.”
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