On July 11, 2024, SpaceX experienced a rare in-flight failure with its Falcon 9 rocket during the Starlink 9-3 mission. This mission aimed to deploy 20 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The launch initially appeared successful, but the second stage encountered an anomaly during its critical burn phase, which prevented the rocket from achieving its intended orbit.
The anomaly was attributed to a liquid oxygen leak in the second stage, which caused a buildup of ice around the Merlin Vacuum engine. This issue resulted in the loss of the engine during the planned second burn. The satellites were deployed but in a lower-than-expected orbit that their electric propulsion systems could not overcome. SpaceX’s efforts to raise their orbits were unsuccessful, and the satellites will re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere and disintegrate without posing a safety risk .
This incident marks the first in-flight failure of a Falcon 9 rocket since the CRS-7 mission in 2015 and has significant implications for SpaceX’s launch schedule. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has grounded the Falcon 9 fleet pending a thorough investigation, which will involve determining the root cause and implementing corrective measures. SpaceX must complete this investigation and receive FAA approval before resuming flights, affecting a range of upcoming missions.
The company has a history of quickly identifying and rectifying issues, but the timeline for resuming launches remains uncertain. Best-case scenarios suggest a return to flight in a few weeks, while more complex issues could ground the fleet for several months. This delay could significantly impact the space industry, which relies heavily on the Falcon 9’s high launch cadence and reliability.
High-profile missions facing delays include the Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission and the Polaris Dawn private astronaut mission, both of which were scheduled for launch soon. Additionally, NASA’s upcoming missions, such as the Crew-9 Dragon launch and the Europa Clipper mission on a Falcon Heavy, are under scrutiny, with NASA emphasizing the importance of mission assurance and crew safety in their decision-making process.
Immediate Impact Scheduled Missions:
- Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission: Originally scheduled for July 2024, its new launch date is currently to be determined (TBD) pending the results of the investigation and subsequent FAA approval.
- Polaris Dawn Mission: Polaris Dawn, a private astronaut mission, was scheduled to launch as soon as July 31, 2024. Given the grounding of Falcon 9 rockets, this mission has been postponed. The exact new date will depend on the resolution of the investigation.
- Starlink Group 10-4: The launch of Starlink Group 10-4 was also planned for July 2024. Like other missions, its new schedule is currently TBD. The primary focus is on ensuring the reliability and safety of the Falcon 9 rockets before any further launches.
SpaceX is actively working with the FAA to investigate the second stage failure and implement necessary fixes. This process involves a comprehensive examination of the launch data, manufacturing records and corrective actions. The company’s robust production capabilities and high launch cadence position it to recover swiftly, but the exact timeline for resuming normal operations will depend on the investigation’s findings and the implementation of new corrective actions.
