Falcon 9 News - TESLARATI https://www.teslarati.com/tag/falcon-9/ Tesla news, rumors and reviews. SpaceX, Elon Musk, batteries, energy, premium EV market. Sun, 02 Mar 2025 21:38:41 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.2 https://www.teslarati.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/cropped-Teslarati-iOS-White-Leaf-Icon-512x512-32x32.png Falcon 9 News - TESLARATI https://www.teslarati.com/tag/falcon-9/ 32 32 SpaceX completes a new first with recent Falcon 9 launch https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-completes-new-first-with-recent-falcon-9-launch/ https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-completes-new-first-with-recent-falcon-9-launch/#respond Thu, 20 Feb 2025 21:25:01 +0000 https://www.teslarati.com/?p=282646 SpaceX completed a new first with a recent launch of the Falcon 9 rocket that sent another batch of Starlink satellites to orbit. On Tuesday, for the first time, SpaceX managed to complete a launch and land in two different countries with the Starlink 10-12 mission. It was the first orbit flight that featured a […]

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]]> SpaceX completed a new first with a recent launch of the Falcon 9 rocket that sent another batch of Starlink satellites to orbit.

On Tuesday, for the first time, SpaceX managed to complete a launch and land in two different countries with the Starlink 10-12 mission. It was the first orbit flight that featured a liftoff in one country and a landing in another, occurring just eight-and-a-half minutes apart.

At around 6:21 p.m. EST on Tuesday, SpaceX completed the liftoff of the Falcon 9 rocket with tail number B1080, its 16th flight.

This specific first-stage booster previously launched four Dragon flights to the International Space Station, the European Space Agency’s Euclid observatory, Astra 1P, and nine other Starlink missions, according to SpaceflightNow.

Eight-and-a-half minutes later, the Falcon 9 booster landed on the ‘Just Read the Instructions’ droneship, which was positioned just off the coast of The Bahamas, specifically the island of Exhuma.

It was a groundbreaking accomplishment as it was the first time it had been done.

As for Starlink, the 10-12 mission helped launch even more satellites into low-Earth orbit, enabling more coverage of its high-speed internet service across the planet.

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]]> https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-completes-new-first-with-recent-falcon-9-launch/feed/ 0 SpaceX launches non-Starlink internet satellites, but don’t be confused https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-launches-non-starlink-internet-satellites-eutelsat-oneweb/ https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-launches-non-starlink-internet-satellites-eutelsat-oneweb/#respond Tue, 22 Oct 2024 21:45:31 +0000 https://www.teslarati.com/?p=276373 Update 11:46 a.m. EDT: Update to paragraph 2 for accuracy with addition of Musk X post. Update to paragraph 7 to add Hawaiian Airlines partnership. SpaceX launched non-Starlink internet satellites owned by Eutelsat, but there is no reason to be confused. Eutelsat’s OneWeb satellite internet service is not a direct competitor to Starlink, but CEO […]

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]]> Update 11:46 a.m. EDT: Update to paragraph 2 for accuracy with addition of Musk X post. Update to paragraph 7 to add Hawaiian Airlines partnership.

SpaceX launched non-Starlink internet satellites owned by Eutelsat, but there is no reason to be confused.

Eutelsat’s OneWeb satellite internet service is not a direct competitor to Starlink, but CEO Elon Musk did recognize the company as a “competitor.”

The Launch

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Sunday at 1:13 a.m. EDT, or 10:13 p.m. PDT Saturday.

The Falcon 9 was launching the last batch of Eutelsat OneWeb’s V1 satellites, expanding on its constellation that helps offer internet across various areas.

SpaceX said this was the seventh flight of this particular Falcon 9 first-stage booster. It has launched five Starlink and one USSF-62 missions in the past.

Starlink vs. Eutelsat OneWeb

Starlink and Eutelsat OneWeb are not direct competitors, and they serve completely different purposes.

Starlink is made for residential and small businesses in areas where high-speed internet is not necessarily available. It has been used in maritime applications as well, as several cruise and logistics companies have equipped Starlink on their ships to make internet easily accessible for customers and employees. It has also been installed on several airlines, as companies are using it to combat ineffective access with slow speeds.

Eutelsat OneWeb, on the other hand, targets businesses and specialized sectors, according to Galaxy Broadband. It is not designed or targeted toward residential uses.

Starlink also uses a different array antenna, as it equips Ka-band phased antennas. Eutelsat OneWeb employs Ku-band Dual dome and flat panel antennas.

Past Launches

This is not the first time SpaceX has launched satellites to orbit for Eutelsat OneWeb. There have been three previous launches where the two companies have worked together. The companies agreed to the launches in March 2022, Space.com reports.

In total, it has over 650 satellites in orbit.

The agreement came just after Russia invaded Ukraine, as the Russian federal space agency said it would not launch OneWeb satellites unless it confirmed they wouldn’t be used for military applications and the U.K. would divest itself from company investors.

However, the partnership with SpaceX has been beneficial for both.

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]]> https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-launches-non-starlink-internet-satellites-eutelsat-oneweb/feed/ 0 SpaceX just completed its 100th launch of 2024 https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-just-completed-its-100th-launch-of-2024/ https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-just-completed-its-100th-launch-of-2024/#respond Tue, 15 Oct 2024 18:56:42 +0000 https://www.teslarati.com/?p=276001 SpaceX just completed its 100th launch of 2024 with the Starlink 10-10 launch. The company kicked off its 100th launch campaign of the year at 2:10 a.m. EDT from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, where liftoff occurred from Space Launch Complex 40. The Falcon 9 first stage booster was tail number B1080, […]

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]]> SpaceX just completed its 100th launch of 2024 with the Starlink 10-10 launch.

The company kicked off its 100th launch campaign of the year at 2:10 a.m. EDT from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, where liftoff occurred from Space Launch Complex 40.

The Falcon 9 first stage booster was tail number B1080, which had ten previous flights, including a mission that took astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS), and two Cargo Dragon missions to the ISS, among a few other launches.

SpaceX put 23 Starlink V2 Mini satellites into orbit with the launch. About eight minutes after liftoff, the Falcon 9 first stage touched down on the ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas’ droneship.

This was the 81st booster landing on that droneship and the 353rd booster landing for SpaceX, Spaceflight Now reported.

It was not the only launch that took place during the early morning hours of October 15, either. The company also had another Starlink launch take place from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, with group 9-7 taking flight. This put 20 additional satellites into low Earth orbit.

In 2023, SpaceX launched 96 times, accounting for 43 percent of all launches across the world, NASASpaceFlight data showed.

91 Falcon 9 and five Falcon Heavy rockets made up the 96 launches, with the previous record being 64 launches in one year.

It has been a busy few days for SpaceX, who also completed a monumental launch on Sunday with the fifth Starship test flight taking off from Texas.

SpaceX aces fifth Starship test flight with successful Super Heavy booster catch

SpaceX completed its launch and then did the unthinkable by catching the Super Heavy booster back on Mechazilla. Starship splashed down safely in the Indian Ocean several hours later.

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]]> https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-just-completed-its-100th-launch-of-2024/feed/ 0 SpaceX arrives to save astronauts stranded by Boeing on ISS https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-arrives-to-save-astronauts-stranded-by-boeing-on-iss/ https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-arrives-to-save-astronauts-stranded-by-boeing-on-iss/#respond Mon, 30 Sep 2024 17:30:10 +0000 https://www.teslarati.com/?p=274787 SpaceX sent a Falcon 9 rocket to the International Space Station (ISS) on Saturday to save two astronauts stranded in Space. Astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore have been stuck on the ISS since June aboard a Boeing Starliner spacecraft. The mission was expected to be just a week long. However, several issues on the […]

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]]> SpaceX sent a Falcon 9 rocket to the International Space Station (ISS) on Saturday to save two astronauts stranded in Space.

Astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore have been stuck on the ISS since June aboard a Boeing Starliner spacecraft. The mission was expected to be just a week long.

However, several issues on the Starliner aircraft, including malfunctioning thrusters, were so severe that NASA was unwilling to allow the two astronauts back on board because they were not sure if they could be resolved.

Boeing was then pushed to the side for SpaceX, who was sending a Crew-9 mission to the ISS. Two of the original crew were told they would not be put aboard so that Williams and Wilmore could return home.

After NASA decided that SpaceX would complete the return and rescue mission, Boeing employees were reportedly “humiliated,” with some even saying they could not believe SpaceX was chosen to bring back the astronauts that the company had sent to the ISS.

One employee said many at Boeing “hate SpaceX” and “talk sh*t about them all the time.” They then realized that “they’re bailing us out.”

SpaceX bails out Boeing and employees are reportedly ‘humiliated’

The Crew-9 mission will stay on the ISS until early next year, meaning Williams and Wimore will return home in 2025.

Crew-9 has a five-month mission aboard the ISS, where they will perform over 200 experiments, NASA said, including ones detailing:

  • blood clotting in space
  • moisture on plants grown in space
  • vision changes on astronauts

NASA detailed the mission in a post:

“With this mission, NASA continues to maximize the use of the orbiting laboratory, where people have lived and worked continuously for more than 23 years, testing technologies, performing science, and developing the skills needed to operate future commercial destinations in low Earth orbit and explore farther from Earth. Research conducted at the space station benefits people on Earth and paves the way for future long-duration missions to the Moon under NASA’s Artemis campaign, and beyond.”

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]]> https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-arrives-to-save-astronauts-stranded-by-boeing-on-iss/feed/ 0 SpaceX sends 20 more Starlink satellites to orbit in successful launch https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-sends-20-more-starlink-satellites-to-orbit-in-successful-launch/ https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-sends-20-more-starlink-satellites-to-orbit-in-successful-launch/#respond Fri, 20 Sep 2024 19:02:24 +0000 https://www.teslarati.com/?p=274070 SpaceX sent 20 additional Starlink satellites to orbit in yet another successful launch, this time from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The launch took place earlier this morning, as the Falcon 9 first-stage booster with tail number B1075 took off at 6:50 a.m. PDT. This mission, which was Starlink 9-17, lifted off from Space […]

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]]> SpaceX sent 20 additional Starlink satellites to orbit in yet another successful launch, this time from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

The launch took place earlier this morning, as the Falcon 9 first-stage booster with tail number B1075 took off at 6:50 a.m. PDT. This mission, which was Starlink 9-17, lifted off from Space Launch Complex 4 East.

This was the 13th takeoff for this particular Falcon 9 first-stage, previously supporting the Transporter-11 rideshare mission, SDA-0A for the Space Development Agency, and nine Starlink launches, Spaceflight Now said.

SpaceX confirmed the deployment of the satellites just before 8 a.m. PDT, just about an hour and ten minutes following liftoff.

Just eight and a half minutes after liftoff, B1075 had a successful touchdown and landing on the ‘Of Course I Still Love You’ droneship in the Pacific Ocean. This was the 102nd booster landing on that droneship and the 350th for SpaceX overall.

SpaceX has now put over 7,000 Starlink launches into low Earth orbit, providing high-speed internet access to people everywhere.

From rural areas to maritime applications to an expanded number of airlines, Starlink is providing high-speed internet to people in various situations, and it is truly becoming more widespread every week as SpaceX continues to deploy more satellites to the constellation.

Starlink is available on over 2,500 airplanes across numerous airlines. Most recently, SpaceX struck a deal with United Airlines to have Starlink provide more reliable internet access with better speeds on their flights.

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]]> https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-sends-20-more-starlink-satellites-to-orbit-in-successful-launch/feed/ 0 SpaceX successfully launches EU navigation satellite constellation https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-successfully-launches-eu-navigation-satellite-constellation/ https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-successfully-launches-eu-navigation-satellite-constellation/#respond Wed, 18 Sep 2024 17:30:15 +0000 https://www.teslarati.com/?p=273916 SpaceX successfully launched a European Union navigation satellite constellation this morning from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. At 6:50 p.m. EDT last night, SpaceX lifted off the Galileo L-13 mission from Pad 40 at Cape Canaveral. The Falcon 9 first-stage booster with tail number B1067 supported the mission. It was the 22nd […]

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]]> SpaceX successfully launched a European Union navigation satellite constellation this morning from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

At 6:50 p.m. EDT last night, SpaceX lifted off the Galileo L-13 mission from Pad 40 at Cape Canaveral. The Falcon 9 first-stage booster with tail number B1067 supported the mission.

It was the 22nd flight for this particular Falcon 9 booster, which has been used for 12 Starlink missions and two cargo missions to the International Space Station.

The Galileo missions are managed and operated by the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA). They are used for what the EUSPA calls “the world’s most accurate positioning system.”

EUSPA Executive Director Rodrigo da Costa said (via Spaceflight Now):

“With the European Commission, EUSPA, and ESA collaborating closely, Galileo goes beyond just satellites; it stands as proof of our united dedication to innovation, security, and progress. Each addition not only improves availability and navigation robustness for over 4 billion users but also reinforce new market opportunities for European businesses, SMEs, and entrepreneurs.”

Deployment of the Galileo L13 was confirmed by SpaceX at 10:26 p.m. EDT last night, around three-and-a-half hours after liftoff.

The first stage of the Falcon 9 landed on the ‘Just Read the Instructions’ droneship just after 7 p.m.

This was SpaceX’s 90th launch of the year, and it won’t be long until that number increases.

Tomorrow, SpaceX has the Starlink 9-17 launch scheduled for 7:12 a.m. PDT from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. This will put another batch of Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit.

The first stage booster of that particular Falcon 9 first stage is expected to land on the ‘Of Course I Still Love You’ droneship in the Pacific Ocean.

One week after that, SpaceX will launch another Falcon 9 with a Dragon spacecraft to carry another crew of four to the ISS. This launch is currently slated for September 26 at 2:05 p.m. EDT, but this all depends on the weather.

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]]> https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-successfully-launches-eu-navigation-satellite-constellation/feed/ 0 SpaceX launches 7000th Starlink satellite with latest Falcon 9 launch https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-launches-7000th-starlink-satellite-with-latest-falcon-9-launch/ https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-launches-7000th-starlink-satellite-with-latest-falcon-9-launch/#respond Thu, 05 Sep 2024 21:02:21 +0000 https://www.teslarati.com/?p=272967 SpaceX reached a new milestone with its Starlink high-speed internet program during today’s Falcon 9 launch. At 11:33 a.m. EDT, SpaceX launched 21 more Starlink satellites from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, just one day after unfavorable weather conditions delayed takeoff. The Falcon 9 first-stage took off from Space Launch Complex 40. […]

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]]> SpaceX reached a new milestone with its Starlink high-speed internet program during today’s Falcon 9 launch.

At 11:33 a.m. EDT, SpaceX launched 21 more Starlink satellites from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, just one day after unfavorable weather conditions delayed takeoff. The Falcon 9 first-stage took off from Space Launch Complex 40.

The 21 satellites officially mark the 7,000 mark for the Starlink program. The total is now 7,001 satellites, as the previous successful launch marked 6,980 total in low Earth orbit.

The latest batch also included 13 Direct-to-Cell satellites, which provide internet straight to smartphones. SpaceX confirmed that in its post-launch press release on Thursday afternoon.

The 7,000 satellite threshold is confirmed by Jonathan McDowell, an astrophysicist who has tracked the number of Starlinks in the sky with each launch. The number was first reported by Space.com.

Following the successful separation, the Falcon 9 used in the launch returned to Earth and landed on the ‘Just Read the Instructions’ droneship in the Atlantic Ocean. This was the 15th launch with this particular first-stage booster. Nine of the fifteen were Starlink launches.

Credit: SpaceX

This particular Starlink launch was the third since an anomaly occurred with a Falcon 9 first stage, which toppled on the ‘A Shortfall from Gravitas’ droneship in late August.

The FAA initially grounded all Falcon 9 launches, but then allowed SpaceX to continue on.

The launch was the first of two in consecutive days for SpaceX.

SpaceX plans Starlink and Polaris Dawn launches in consecutive days

Tomorrow, the long-awaited Polaris Dawn mission is expected to take off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Station. The astronauts on that mission have been quarantined for days as they await confirmation that they will head to space.

The Polaris Dawn mission was set to takeoff last week, but unfavorable conditions in the Atlantic Ocean delayed the launch.

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]]> https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-launches-7000th-starlink-satellite-with-latest-falcon-9-launch/feed/ 0 SpaceX plans Starlink and Polaris Dawn launches in consecutive days https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-plans-starlink-polaris-dawn-launches-consecutive-days/ https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-plans-starlink-polaris-dawn-launches-consecutive-days/#respond Wed, 04 Sep 2024 23:12:05 +0000 https://www.teslarati.com/?p=272922 SpaceX is planning to launch a Starlink flight on Thursday and its groundbreaking Polaris Dawn mission on Friday, marking two significant launches on consecutive days this week. This particular Starlink mission will be the third since SpaceX experienced an anomaly with its latest Falcon 9 landing as the first-stage toppled. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) […]

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]]> SpaceX is planning to launch a Starlink flight on Thursday and its groundbreaking Polaris Dawn mission on Friday, marking two significant launches on consecutive days this week.

This particular Starlink mission will be the third since SpaceX experienced an anomaly with its latest Falcon 9 landing as the first-stage toppled. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) chose to ground SpaceX flights temporarily, requiring an investigation.

It then chose to allow SpaceX to continue operating Falcon 9 launches in a statement released late last week, where it said an investigation would continue. However, SpaceX would be able to operate Falcon 9 first stages.

The FAA said in the statement:

“The SpaceX Falcon 9 vehicle may return to flight operations while the overall investigation of the anomaly during the Starlink Group 8-6 mission remains open, provided all other license requirements are met. SpaceX made the return to flight request on Aug. 29 and the FAA gave approval on Aug. 30.”

Starlink 8-11 Mission Set for Thursday

The Starlink 8-11 mission was set to launch today but was pushed back to Thursday and is set for liftoff at 8:35 a.m. EDT. SpaceX chose to push the launch back due to “unfavorable booster recovery weather conditions in the Atlantic.” The mission will launch from Space Launch Complex pad 40 at Cape Canaveral.

Polaris Dawn Set for Friday

SpaceX is planning to launch the Polaris Dawn mission on Friday. The FAA has a launch window from 3:33 a.m. to 7:38 a.m. on Friday. The crew is in quarantine at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, where they will eventually launch from for a five-day mission.

This mission was also pushed back and delayed due to the Falcon 9 landing anomaly.

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]]> https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-plans-starlink-polaris-dawn-launches-consecutive-days/feed/ 0 SpaceX Falcon 9 regains flight approval operations from FAA https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-falcon-9-regains-flight-approval-operations-faa/ https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-falcon-9-regains-flight-approval-operations-faa/#respond Fri, 30 Aug 2024 23:29:25 +0000 https://www.teslarati.com/?p=272598 In a quick turnaround, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 booster has regained flight approval operations from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA revoked Falcon 9’s launch permittance after an anomaly occurred following a successful launch and deployment of 21 Starlink satellites earlier this week. After attempting to land on the ‘A Shortfall from Gravitas’ drone ship […]

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]]> In a quick turnaround, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 booster has regained flight approval operations from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The FAA revoked Falcon 9’s launch permittance after an anomaly occurred following a successful launch and deployment of 21 Starlink satellites earlier this week.

After attempting to land on the ‘A Shortfall from Gravitas’ drone ship in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, the Falcon 9 booster fell, marking a rarity.

SpaceX commented on the occurrence this week as Vice President Jon Edwards said:

“Losing a booster is always sad. Each one of them has a unique history and character. Thankfully this doesn’t happen often.”

Earlier this week, the FAA then grounded any Falcon 9 launches. On Wednesday, the agency said it would perform an investigation into the issue with the landing:

“The FAA is aware an anomaly occurred during the SpaceX Starlink Group 8-6 mission that launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on August 28. The incident involved the failure of the Falcon 9 booster rocket while landing on a droneship at sea. No public injuries or public property damage have been reported. The FAA is requiring an investigation.”

Late on Friday, the FAA officially confirmed that Falcon 9 launches would be permitted once again:

“The SpaceX Falcon 9 vehicle may return to flight operations while the overall investigation of the anomaly during the Starlink Group 8-6 mission remains open, provided all other license requirements are met. SpaceX made the return to flight request on Aug. 29 and the FAA gave approval on Aug. 30.”

It appears SpaceX will be able to resume Starlink launches now that the FAA has regained approval. It also leaves the door open for the Polaris Dawn mission to potentially takeoff soon, as the company decided to delay it earlier this week due to unfavorable landing conditions.

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]]> https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-falcon-9-regains-flight-approval-operations-faa/feed/ 0 SpaceX comments on rare booster loss after Starlink launch https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-comments-rare-booster-loss-after-starlink-launch/ https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-comments-rare-booster-loss-after-starlink-launch/#respond Fri, 30 Aug 2024 15:25:49 +0000 https://www.teslarati.com/?p=272585 Update: paragraph 10 updated for accuracy SpaceX is working “ASAP” to see what went wrong during the booster landing that failed, a rare occurrence, after a successful Starlink launch earlier this week. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has grounded SpaceX launches as a result of the anomaly, which caused a lost in a booster. SpaceX […]

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]]> Update: paragraph 10 updated for accuracy

SpaceX is working “ASAP” to see what went wrong during the booster landing that failed, a rare occurrence, after a successful Starlink launch earlier this week.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has grounded SpaceX launches as a result of the anomaly, which caused a lost in a booster.

SpaceX Vice President Jon Edwards said the company is working to find out what happened that caused the loss so it can fix the problem and reinitiate launches (via AP):

“Losing a booster is always sad. Each one of them has a unique history and character. Thankfully this doesn’t happen often.”

Edwards also said SpaceX is working to understand what happened “ASAP.”

CEO Elon Musk also commented on the loss the day after the loss:

“Now we figure out what went wrong to drive the landing failure rate far above 1 in a thousand, then 1 in 10 thousand … 1 in a milion, etc.”

The FAA released a statement on Wednesday that seemed to indicate SpaceX would be grounded until the anomaly was investigated:

“The FAA is aware an anomaly occurred during the SpaceX Starlink Group 8-6 mission that launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on August 28. The incident involved the failure of the Falcon 9 booster rocket while landing on a droneship at sea. No public injuries or public property damage have been reported. The FAA is requiring an investigation.”

This put a delay on the upcoming Polaris Dawn mission that will also include the first-ever civilian spacewalk.

SpaceX, Polaris reveal plans to launch private astronauts higher than ever before

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]]> https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-comments-rare-booster-loss-after-starlink-launch/feed/ 0