FAA grounds SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket after fire incident – ​​here’s what happened

Following a launch accident, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has grounded Elon Musk’s Falcon 9 rockets. The Falcon 9 rocket, which was carrying 21 Starlink satellites from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida into low Earth orbit, tipped over during landing, causing a fire.

Photo credit: AP

23rd mission of the SpaceX Falcon 9

According to reports This was the 23rd mission of the Falcon 9 B1062, but on Wednesday a launch vehicle crashed in flames during landing. The first booster collapsed in a fireball shortly after landing on an ocean platform. This was the first accident of its kind in years. Before Wednesday, SpaceX had completed 267 successful Falcon booster landings in a row.

Falcon 9 B1062 completes 23 missions, but unfortunately tips over during ASOG. Previously, SpaceX had 267 successful Falcon booster landings in a row.

Please note that they always expected to lose some boosters upon landing. It was just crazy that they had such a winning streak. pic.twitter.com/yQySUlamWU

— Chris Bergin – NSF (@NASASpaceflight) 28 August 2024

Although no injuries to the public were reported, SpaceX said the company was working “as quickly as possible” to find out what went wrong.

“The loss of a booster is always sad. Each one has a unique story and character. Thankfully, this doesn’t happen often,” SpaceX Vice President Edwards wrote on X.

Falcon 9 launches 21 @Starlink Putting satellites from Florida into low Earth orbit pic.twitter.com/PoDEjGYGSM

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) 28 August 2024

What’s next for SpaceX

According to the FAA, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rockets were grounded following the accident, including a previously scheduled launch from California with additional Starlinks. The FAA said SpaceX must obtain approval for its accident findings and remedial actions before it can resume Falcon 9 launches.

Photo credit: AP

Second setback for SpaceX this week

This is the second setback Musk’s space exploration company has suffered this week. Previously, Polaris Dawn, the world’s first private spacewalk, had been delayed, initially due to a helium leak and later due to adverse weather conditions.

Also read: Helium leak hits SpaceX, first commercial spacewalk mission, Polaris Dawn, postponed

Photo credit: REUTERS

Launch of Polaris Dawn delayed

The launch of Polaris Dawn, which would have carried Anna Menon, Scott Poteet, Commander Jared Isaacman and Sarah Gillis for the first privately led spacewalk, was scheduled for Tuesday morning but was canceled due to a helium leak on the ground.

Better safe than sorry! The Polaris Dawn mission is on hold after two launch delays. The first issue involved a helium leak on the ground and last night, inclement weather that affected the splashdown on return.
Now we are waiting for another launch window.
And for the first time … pic.twitter.com/GBTZrl2Fuc

— Ellie in Space 🚀💫 (@esherifftv) 28 August 2024

Although SpaceX said the mission had been delayed by a day, the company was unable to lift off with a Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon capsule from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday due to adverse weather conditions. The next likely launch date is August 30.

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