SpaceX resumes Falcon 9 launches after brief FAA grounding
Saturday, 31 August 2024 13:05SpaceX cleared to fly Falcon 9 rocket after landing mishap
Saturday, 31 August 2024 05:42US regulators on Friday cleared SpaceX to restart launching its stalwart Falcon 9 rocket, as a probe continues into a rare mishap this week during a first-stage booster landing.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grounded the Falcon 9 rocket on Wednesday after a first-stage booster tipped over and exploded while attempting to land on a droneship off the Florida coast.
The early morning launch was otherwise successful, delivering the latest batch of 21 Starlink internet satellites into orbit.
"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," the FAA said in a statement Friday.
A webcast from Elon Musk's company showed the first stage, which normally fires its thrusters to achieve a precise upright landing, tilting and blowing up as it descended onto a droneship off the Florida coast.
Although landing the booster is a secondary objective, and no lives or public property were at risk, the reusability of the entire rocket system is crucial to SpaceX's business model.
General Dynamics secures $491 million contract extension from Space Development Agency
Friday, 30 August 2024 21:27Real estate investor moves to ease Space Coast strain
Friday, 30 August 2024 21:16Space startup ThinkOrbital taps retired general John Shaw as advisor
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