Space Debris Lands In Poland, Probably SpaceX Starlink 11-4 Second Stage

Space Debris Lands In Poland, Probably SpaceX Starlink 11-4 Second Stage

Re-entry path posted by Dr. Jonathon McDowell on X.com. Retrieved on January 19, 2025

The second stage from SpaceX’s Falcon 9 used to launch Starlink 11-4 from Vandenberg on February 1st has apparently re-entered Earth’s atmosphere, with parts of the spacecraft’s debris reaching the ground in Poland. Initially entering over the Irish Sea, the reentering body broke apart, and the debris path of the spacecraft continued over the UK, western European countries including Poland and Ukraine.

Parts of the rocket body, including a suspected pressure vessel, were found near Poznan, Poland today, prompting local investigations into the incident and public safety concerns.

At the time of this writing, SpaceX has not confirmed that the debris is theirs, but according to the FAA, the company is investigating the matter.

Booster B1067. Image by Richard P Gallagher

Booster B1067 Poised to Surpass Its Own Record in Upcoming Launch 

Cape Canaveral, Florida — SpaceX is on the brink of setting a new milestone in spaceflight reusability with its Falcon 9 booster B1067 scheduled to launch for the 26th time on February 15, 2025, during the Starlink Group 12-8 mission. This mission, taking off from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, will further demonstrate SpaceX’s commitment to a sustainable present in space through reliable reuse of its booster fleet. 

SpaceX Second Stage

SpaceX Has Another Second Stage Issue With Falcon 9

Starlink 11-4 at liftoff from Vandenberg Space Force Base
Photo: from SpaceX livestream

Third Stage-2 Problem In The Last Six Months

SpaceX seems to have experienced an issue with the second stage of the Falcon 9 used for the recent Starlink 11-4 launch. After lifting off on February 1st with no problems, Falcon 9 delivered its payload of Starlink satellites into their intended orbit after a brief circularization burn of the second stage, as planned. What apparently has not gone to plan is the de-orbit burn of the second stage, as it is still in orbit five days after the active part of the mission was completed.

The company has not commented on the matter.

Blue Ghost, New Glenn, and Starship: Charting the Future of Space Travel

Blue Ghost, New Glenn, and Starship: Charting the Future of Space Travel

The countdown clock outside of the KSC's media center displays the next launch. Image by Richard P Gallagher/FMN
The countdown clock outside of the KSC’s media center displays the next launch. Image by Richard P Gallagher/FMN

Cocoa, FL – January 14, 2025 

Looking for something to see or do while in Florida this week? You’re in luck! This week is witnessing a flurry of space exploration activities at Cape Canaveral and KSC, with multiple launches and historic feats by private aerospace giants. The excitement began with SpaceX’s ongoing efforts to complete their Starlink constellation and will culminate in the much-anticipated launches of the Blue Ghost lunar lander, Blue Origin’s first New Glenn Heavy booster launch, and hopefully SpaceX’s Starship IFT-7. 

Connectivity Amid Chaos: Starlink’s Critical Role in California’s LA Fires

Connectivity Amid Chaos: Starlink’s Critical Role in California’s LA Fires

A SpaceX Falcon9 rocket launches from LC-40 at CCSFS in Florida to deliver a batch of Starlink satellites. Image by Richard P Gallagher / FMN
A SpaceX Falcon9 rocket launches from LC-40 at CCSFS in Florida to deliver a batch of Starlink satellites. Image by Richard P Gallagher / FMN

Los Angeles, CA — As the devastating wildfires continue to ravage California, leaving swathes of communities in darkness, disarray and without internet, a technological marvel is helping to restore service: Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite internet service.  

FMN's Ed Cordero caught the flight of Thuraya-4 near Orlando International Airport Friday night. A landing airplane added to the photo as it approached MCO's runway.

SpaceX Launches Thuraya-4 On Falcon 9


FMN's Ed Cordero caught the flight of Thuraya-4 near Orlando International Airport Friday night. A landing airplane added to the photo as it approached MCO's runway.
FMN’s Ed Cordero caught the flight of Thuraya-4 near Orlando International Airport Friday night. A landing airplane added to the photo as it approached MCO’s runway.
Photo: Ed Cordero, FMN

SpaceX launched the Thuraya-4 satellite for Yahsat / Space 42 this evening from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Liftoff was at 8:27 PM EST (0027 UTC) on a cool evening on the Space Coast.

Tonight’s launch was the first from the Eastern Range in 2025 in what is expected to be another record year for launches from the combined facilities of Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and Kennedy Space Center.

SpaceX Falcon 9 carrying Astranis 'From One To Many' lifts off on December 29, 2024 Photo: Charles Boyer / FMN

Third Time Is The Charm For SpaceX and Astranis

After two previous delays, including an abort-at-ignition and a booster swap, SpaceX launched the ‘From One To Many’ payload for Astranis tonight from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral aboard Falcon 9. Liftoff was at 12:00 AM EST (05:00 UTC) under broken skies on the Space Coast.

SpaceX Falcon 9 carrying Astranis 'From One To Many' lifts off on December 29, 2024
Photo: Charles Boyer / FMN
SpaceX Falcon 9 carrying Astranis ‘From One To Many’ lifts off on December 29, 2024 Photo: Charles Boyer / FMN
A broad view of Launch Complex 36 in Cape Canaveral. To the right, Cape Canaveral Lighthouse.

Falcon 9 Has Rare Abort-At-Ignition, Blue Origin Continues New Glenn Testing This Weekend

Despite no rockets heading to space this weekend from the Eastern Range, it was still quite a busy weekend for both SpaceX and Blue Origin at Cape Canaveral.

Falcon 9 / Astranis 'From One To Many' standing at the launch pad early Friday evening at Space Launch Complex 40. 
Photo: Charles Boyer / FMN
Falcon 9 / Astranis ‘From One To Many’ standing at the launch pad early Friday evening at Space Launch Complex 40. Photo: Charles Boyer / FMN
Starliner CFT Astronauts Never-Ending Mission Is Extended Again

Starliner CFT Astronauts Never-Ending Mission Is Extended Again

Boeing Starliner
Boeing Starliner – Photo: NASA

Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams have had their missions extended yet again, this time until at least March, and possibly April 2025. Originally planned as an eight-day mission, Williams and Wilmore’s straightforward task was to take Boeing’s Starliner on its debut flight with crew, dock at ISS for a brief visit before returning home. That was not meant to be.

NASA Administrator nominee Jared Isaacman starts his historic spacewalk in September 2024. Photo: SpaceX Livestream

Donald Trump Nominates Jared Isaacman To NASA Administrator Post

Jared Isaacman after his return to Earth following the Polaris Dawn mission in September 2024.
Photo: John Kraus / Polaris Dawn

Jared Isaacman, the billionaire entrepreneur, philanthropist, and private astronaut, has been nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as the next Administrator of NASA. Isaacman, best known to the general public as the commander of both the groundbreaking Inspiration4 and Polaris Dawn space missions and the first private citizen to conduct a spacewalk, is also the CEO of the payment processing giant Shift4, a rapidly growing company that Isaacman started when he was sixteen years old.