SpaceX seeks approval to relaunch Falcon 9 amid FAA investigation into recent accident

Amid an ongoing FAA investigation into a recent anomaly with the Starlink mission, SpaceX has requested permission to relaunch its Falcon 9 rocket. The accident involved a liquid oxygen leak, impacting the July 11 deployment of 20 Starlink satellites.

SpaceX requests Falcon 9 relaunch amid FAA investigation into Starlink mission anomaly

During the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) investigation into an accident last week, SpaceX requested permission to relaunch its Falcon 9 rocket, Teslarati reported.

The FAA is investigating an accident that occurred during the Starlink 9-3 mission earlier this month.

On July 11, SpaceX launched its Falcon 9 rocket carrying 20 Starlink internet satellites. However, a liquid oxygen leak caused an anomaly that prevented the second stage from reaching orbit before firing the high-speed internet devices.

The problem with the Starlink satellites was further explained by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk:

“Upper stage restart to raise perigee resulted in an engine RUD for reasons currently unknown. The team is reviewing the data tonight to determine the cause. Starlink satellites have been deployed, but perigee may be too low to raise the orbit. We will know more in a few hours.”

Shortly afterward, the FAA issued a statement:

“The FAA is aware of an anomaly during the SpaceX Starlink Group 9-3 mission that launched July 11 from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The incident involved the failure of the rocket’s upper stage while in space. There have been no reports of injuries or damage to public property. The FAA is requesting an investigation.”

SpaceX seeks FAA approval to relaunch Falcon 9 amid ongoing investigation

Despite the ongoing investigation, SpaceX plans to resume Falcon 9 launches before the FAA completes its review.

Space X filed a request with the FAA on July 15 to allow the rocket to launch again before the agency’s investigation was complete, Spaceflight Now reported.

“The FAA is reviewing the request and will be guided by data and safety at every step of the process. The FAA is responsible for and committed to protecting the public during commercial space launch and reentry operations. The FAA is reviewing the request and will be guided by data and safety at every step of the process.”

Under two scenarios, the FAA would allow a rocket to fly again after a problem: The FAA would impose penalties for a launch operator-caused accident in the final investigation report, requiring the operator to identify and implement corrective actions.

The other is a “public safety determination,” which would only be valid if “the accident did not involve safety-relevant systems or otherwise endanger public safety,” the FAA said.