US FAA approves SpaceX Falcon 9 return to flight after mishap probe
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has officially approved the return to flight of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket after a comprehensive review of the investigation findings related to a malfunction that occurred on September 28. This marks a significant milestone for SpaceX, which faced grounding of the Falcon 9 for the third time in three months.
The FAA’s decision follows SpaceX’s completion of an internal investigation into the failure of the Falcon 9’s second stage, which malfunctioned after a NASA astronaut mission, leading to the rocket’s booster falling into a prohibited area of the Pacific Ocean. In addition, the FAA confirmed the closure of investigations into earlier Falcon 9 mishaps associated with Starlink missions in July and August.
As a result of the FAA’s findings, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket is set to launch on Monday for a mission with the European Space Agency’s Hera spacecraft from Florida. This mission represents the resumption of operations for SpaceX’s flagship vehicle, which has been instrumental in numerous launches since its debut.
In a separate development, reports suggest that the FAA may soon issue a launch license for SpaceX’s Starship 5, the company’s fifth test flight of its ambitious fully reusable spacecraft designed for missions to Earth orbit, the Moon, and beyond. Although the FAA had previously indicated that a determination on the license would not come until late November, it is currently reviewing the proposed mission with the potential for a launch as early as this Sunday.
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has been vocal about his frustrations with the FAA, particularly concerning a proposed fine of $633,000 and delays in the approval process for Starship 5. Musk has called for the resignation of FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker and has indicated the possibility of legal action against the agency.
As SpaceX prepares for upcoming missions, the company’s ability to navigate regulatory hurdles will be closely watched by the aerospace community and stakeholders in the space exploration industry.
