SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket has been cleared to resume launches, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced on August 30, just two days after a Falcon 9 first stage failed to land successfully. The crash, which occurred after a record-breaking 23rd liftoff of a Falcon 9 booster, is still under investigation, but the FAA has given the green light for future flights.
The Falcon 9, which had successfully launched a batch of Starlink satellites on August 28, attempted to land on a droneship in the Atlantic Ocean. While it hit the landing target, it failed to remain upright, leading to a fiery crash that destroyed the booster.
Not much left of Falcon 9 B1062. Important to remember that with 23 flights under its belt, it completed 22 more flights than any other orbital-class rocket booster. Here’s to celebrating its successful missions and to many more reuse records broken with future boosters. pic.twitter.com/3S3O1unPXM
— John Kraus (@johnkrausphotos) August 30, 2024
SpaceX requested clearance to return to flight on August 29, and the FAA quickly approved the request on August 30, allowing the Falcon 9 to continue operations as the investigation proceeds.
Despite the ongoing probe, the FAA’s approval signifies confidence in the overall safety of Falcon 9’s operations, provided that SpaceX meets all other licensing requirements.
UPD: Added post with photos
