FAA Suspends SpaceX Operations Following Rocket Mishap at Landing Site
SpaceX launches are currently paused due to a booster rocket toppling over in flames during landing on Wednesday.
The Federal Aviation Administration has grounded the company’s Falcon 9 rockets and initiated an investigation into the incident off the Florida coast. Luckily, there were no reported injuries or public damage.
It is too early to determine the impact on SpaceX’s upcoming crew flights, one for a private mission and the other for NASA. A billionaire’s chartered flight was also delayed earlier due to poor weather conditions.
The rocket successfully deployed all 21 Starlink internet satellites into orbit after launching from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. However, the first-stage booster experienced a mishap and toppled over in flames upon landing on an ocean platform, marking the first such incident in years. This booster had been reused a record 23 times by SpaceX.
The FAA has mandated that SpaceX’s investigation findings and corrective actions need approval before Falcon 9 launches can resume. A California launch with additional Starlinks was immediately canceled after the accident.
SpaceX’s vice president, Jon Edwards, stated that the company is working urgently to determine the cause of the failure.
Related Stories
“Losing a booster is always unfortunate. Each one has a unique history and personality. Luckily, occurrences like this are rare,” shared Edwards on X.
In addition to the private spaceflight awaiting launch from Kennedy Space Center, SpaceX is scheduled to transport astronauts for NASA at the end of next month. Two seats will be reserved for the astronauts who launched on Boeing’s Starliner capsule in June, which NASA deemed unsafe for their return.
By Marcia Dunn
