SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket could soon return to the skies despite an ongoing Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) investigation. The FAA confirmed on Friday that the iconic rocket may resume flight operations even as an anomaly during a recent Starlink mission remains under review.
SpaceX, on Thursday, formally requested the FAA’s approval to resume Falcon 9 operations. By Friday, the agency had cleared the way, granting permission for future launches on the condition that all other licensing requirements are met.
This swift decision follows an unexpected issue earlier in the week when Falcon 9’s reusable first stage failed to land safely on a sea-faring barge. The mishap occurred during a routine Starlink mission, which aims to expand SpaceX’s satellite internet network. While the launch itself was successful, the fiery booster crash temporarily halted SpaceX’s flight schedule.
Grounding of Falcon 9 rockets is an uncommon occurrence. The rocket, which has revolutionized spaceflight with its reusability, is the backbone of numerous Western satellite launches and crewed missions. Before this recent grounding, Falcon 9 had faced a brief halt in July, following a second-stage failure that resulted in the loss of a batch of Starlink satellites. Despite the setback, SpaceX resumed operations just 15 days later, reflecting the company’s efficiency in addressing and solving technical issues.
Looking forward, SpaceX has high-profile missions lined up, including the launch of two NASA astronauts in late September aboard the Crew Dragon spacecraft. This mission is critical, as it will return the two astronauts currently stationed on the International Space Station after their delayed return, which was caused by Boeing’s troubled Starliner spacecraft.
Since its first launch in 2010, the Falcon 9 has grown to become one of the most reliable launch vehicles globally, allowing SpaceX to maintain a competitive edge. SpaceX’s ability to regularly reuse Falcon 9 boosters has enabled the company to outpace rivals, cutting costs and boosting launch frequencies.
The return of Falcon 9 to active duty will once again demonstrate SpaceX’s resilience and capacity to push the boundaries of modern space travel, even while under regulatory scrutiny.
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