SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket Grounded After Launch Failure: Investigation Underway
SpaceX needs FAA approval for its investigation before the Falcon 9 can fly again.
Following its flight from California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base late on Thursday night, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket experienced an engine failure. Due to a leak, the mission, Starlink Group 9-3, which was intended to deploy Starlink satellites, was unable to restart its upper second stage. Elon Musk confirmed incident, describing it as a “rapid unscheduled disassembly” of engine during an attempt to raise perigee.
Second stage of Falcon 9 mission carried out its initial burn as expected. On Second stage: there was, nevertheless, liquid oxygen leak. An fault occurred with Merlin Vacuum engine, preventing it from completing its second run as scheduled during attempted planned restart of upper stage engine to raise lowest point (perigee) of orbit.
SpaceX
According to information on their website, SpaceX declared that, in cooperation with FAA, it will carry out a thorough investigation into Falcon 9 rocket disaster. CNBC confirms that FAA has grounded Falcon 9 pending the conclusion of investigation.
Gunter Krebs’s Orbital Launches tracker shows that Falcon 9 is essential to SpaceX, contributing to 52% of all orbital launches this year. With this Thursday’s launch, there will be 70 Falcon 9 missions in 2024; in 2023, there were 96 launches.
Since rocket detonated on launch pad in 2016, this is first Falcon 9 failure.
Following the failure, SpaceX stated that the Starlink satellites were deployed to a lower than intended orbit. By Friday afternoon, the company had established contact with 10 out of the 20 satellites onboard. However, these satellites are in a high-drag environment at their orbit’s lowest point (perigee). SpaceX noted that the available thrust is unlikely to be sufficient to raise them successfully, leading to their eventual reentry into the atmosphere and complete destruction.
SpaceX assured that the satellites do not pose any threat to other satellites in orbit or public safety.
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FAQ
Why did SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket fail?
Following its launch from California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base late on Thursday night, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket malfunctioned due to an engine problem. A leak occurred in the rocket’s upper second stage during Starlink Group 9-3 mission, making it impossible for stage to restart as intended.
Why is Falcon 9 grounded?
Until SpaceX concludes its investigation and receives FAA certification, Falcon 9 is kept off the ground. According to the FAA, it will supervise the probe and have the authority to accept SpaceX’s final report and any necessary remedial measures.
Why is there ice on a Falcon 9 rocket?
There is no risk to public safety or other satellites from the onboard Starlink satellites. During the Falcon 9 rocket’s first scheduled launch late on Thursday, SpaceX saw an odd ice formation close to the rocket’s second stage base. This was probably caused by a liquid oxygen leak that resulted in an engine failure as the rocket was ascending to orbit.
Where is SpaceX’s Falcon 9 launching satellites?
This screen grab was taken from a promotional movie that was made available on July 12, 2024, and shows SpaceX’s Falcon 9 sending satellites into orbit after it took off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, United States. Handout/SpaceX via REUTERS © Thomson Reuters Through Joey Roulette.
How many SpaceX rockets failed?
This event is significant for NASA’s human spaceflight program as well as being the first SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket failure in almost ten years.
How many rockets does SpaceX have?
SpaceX has three launch vehicles under development. Falcon 1 was first, a little rocket that was retired in 2009. They now launch Falcon Heavy on heavy-lift sorties and Falcon 9 on medium-lift missions. Payloads could be launched into low Earth orbit by Falcon 1.
Who is the owner of SpaceX?
SpaceX is attempting to raise the orbit of the affected satellites using ion thrusters. Elon Musk, SpaceX’s owner, mentioned updating satellite software to boost them “at their equivalent of warp 9.”
