FAA Allows SpaceX to Continue Falcon 9 Rocket Launches Amid Ongoing Investigation

The authorities have granted SpaceX permission to resume Falcon 9 launches, following a two-week pause due to an in-flight anomaly.

This represents a notably swift recovery for the aerospace corporation, having swiftly navigated an investigation under the vigilant eye of the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, pinpointed the likely reason behind the mishap, and outlined necessary remedies to avert future occurrences. Such measures are typical protocols in the aftermath of any rocketry mishap.

The anomaly encountered by SpaceX’s Falcon 9 was unexpected during its orbit following the July 11 launch of Starlink satellites. Everything appeared normal up until the mission’s second stage, which then suffered a significant malfunction. This resulted in the deployment of twenty satellites into an inadequately low orbit, leading to their subsequent atmospheric re-entry and destruction.

In a detailed announcement on Thursday night, SpaceX disclosed on its website that the mishap was triggered by a liquid oxygen leakage. This leakage was attributed to a crack in a sensor line, exacerbated by a faulty clamp and compounded by vibrations from the engine. 

Despite the leakage, which happened during the orbit’s first engine burn, the mission erroneously proceeded. The escaped liquid oxygen excessively cooled the engine’s components, causing a failure in the second engine ignition attempt. According to SpaceX, this situation led to a ‘hard start’ of the engine, damaging it and disorienting the upper stage’s orientation in orbit.

In response, SpaceX has eliminated the problematic sensor and sense line from the upcoming Falcon 9 second stage engines. These components were not crucial for flight safety, according to the company. Further tests have been conducted on the updated design in McGregor, Texas, at SpaceX’s rocket testing facility. Additionally, SpaceX has inspected all second-stage sense lines in operation, opting for “proactive replacement” where necessary.

Before this setback, SpaceX celebrated a record of 335 consecutive launches across its Falcon rocket series, including 96 in 2023 and 69 specifically this year.

Although the FAA’s probe into the incident is ongoing, SpaceX has forwarded its detailed mishap report to the regulatory body.

The FAA indicated through a statement to TechCrunch that it found no public safety issues related to the July 11 SpaceX Starlink Group 9-3 launch anomaly. Consequently, the FAA has allowed Falcon 9 to resume flights, assuming all other licensing requirements are adhered to.

SpaceX is now set for its upcoming Falcon 9 mission on July 27, aiming to deploy another set of Starlink satellites into orbit.