A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket recently launched 20 Starlink satellites from California but encountered an anomaly with its upper stage, causing the satellites to be deployed in a lower-than-intended orbit. This has led to the loss of all 20 satellites, and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is now requiring an investigation into the incident.
The FAA will be closely involved in the investigation process and must approve SpaceX’s final report, including any corrective actions that may be necessary. SpaceX is currently looking into the nature and cause of the anomaly under the supervision of the FAA to ensure public safety.
In response to the incident, SpaceX has been in contact with five of the satellites and is attempting to raise their orbits using onboard ion thrusters. However, the success of this effort is uncertain, as the satellites need to raise their orbits faster than atmospheric drag pulls them down.
Falcon 9 rocket anomalies are rare, with the rocket having launched successfully over 350 times since its debut in 2010. The only catastrophic in-flight failure occurred in June 2015, resulting in the loss of a cargo capsule. Despite this recent anomaly, the Falcon 9 rocket remains human-rated and has upcoming crewed launches scheduled.
Billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman, who funded the Polaris Dawn mission, expressed confidence in SpaceX’s ability to address the issue quickly and ensure the reliability of future launches. The Polaris Dawn mission and Crew-9 mission to the International Space Station may experience slight delays, but SpaceX’s track record suggests that the wait will not be significant.
Overall, while the recent Falcon 9 anomaly is a setback, SpaceX is working diligently to investigate the cause and implement any necessary corrective actions to maintain the safety and reliability of its launches. The space community will be eagerly awaiting updates on the investigation and the resumption of Falcon 9 launches in the near future.
