FAA Allows SpaceX Falcon 9 to Resume Flights Despite Ongoing Starlink Mission Anomaly Investigation

On Friday, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that SpaceX's Falcon 9 vehicle may resume flight operations despite an ongoing investigation regarding an anomaly during a recent Starlink mission. The FAA's approval came a day after SpaceX submitted the request to return to flight operations.

Grounding and Previous Incidents

The Falcon 9 was grounded on Wednesday following a failed attempt to land back on Earth during a routine Starlink mission. This marked the second grounding of the Falcon 9 this year. The rocket, which successfully launched a batch of Starlink internet satellites into orbit early Wednesday from Florida, experienced a landing mishap when its reusable first stage booster toppled into the ocean after a fiery touchdown while attempting to land on a sea-faring barge.

Such groundings of the Falcon 9 are infrequent, given its critical role in deploying satellites and transporting humans to space. The rocket's previous grounding occurred in July due to a second-stage failure in space, resulting in the loss of a batch of Starlink satellites.

After the July grounding, SpaceX swiftly resolved the issues and obtained the FAA's approval for an expedited return to flight just 15 days later.

Upcoming Launches and Operations

The Falcon 9's grounding poses challenges for upcoming missions, including the scheduled launch of two NASA astronauts on a Crew Dragon spacecraft in late September. These astronauts are currently on the International Space Station, having arrived there aboard Boeing's troubled Starliner spacecraft. Additionally, another Starlink mission was poised for launch shortly after Wednesday's flight from SpaceX's other launch site in southern California, but was called off due to the landing failure.

Despite these setbacks, SpaceX remains undeterred. The company has established a significant fleet of reusable Falcon boosters since the rocket's inaugural launch in 2010, allowing it to outpace competitors in launch frequency.

Resumption of Operations

The FAA's approval to resume flight operations is contingent upon SpaceX meeting all other license requirements and addressing the issues that led to the recent anomaly. As such, the FAA monitoring SpaceX's operations closely to ensure compliance and safety standards.

As this situation unfolds, the space community eagerly awaits SpaceX's next moves and the resumption of Falcon 9 flight operations. The company's ability to navigate these challenges and maintain its position as a leader in the space launch industry will be closely observed.