SpaceX Continues Launches Following Approval from FAA

The Federal Aviation Administration has given SpaceX the green light to resume Falcon 9 rocket launches as the investigation into a failed July 11 mission continues. This ruling allows SpaceX to move forward with upcoming launches, with the next liftoff possibly happening as early as tonight.

SpaceX determined that the failure of the July 11 mission was caused by a crack in a sense line for a pressure sensor attached to the upper stage’s liquid-oxygen system. This crack led to an oxygen leak that affected the performance of the upper-stage engine. To address this issue, SpaceX will be removing the sense line and sensors for future Falcon 9 launches as a temporary solution.

The space company has already scheduled a Falcon 9 launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida for July 27. This mission aims to deliver a batch of Starlink satellites to low Earth orbit, similar to the failed July 11 mission.

The FAA usually takes months to investigate launch anomalies, but in this case, it determined that there were no public safety issues involved in the July 11 anomaly. This allowed SpaceX to resume its flight operations while the overall investigation remains open, as long as all other license requirements are met.

SpaceX worked closely with the FAA to identify the root cause of the anomaly and implement corrective actions. The company attributed the crack in the liquid-oxygen sense line to fatigue caused by high engine vibrations and looseness in the clamp that holds the line in place.

Despite the failure of the upper-stage engine during the July 11 mission, SpaceX successfully deployed its Starlink satellites at a lower altitude than planned. The company has since developed a strategy to remove the suspect sense lines and clamps from future Falcon 9 launches, ensuring the safety of upcoming missions.

With the return to flight operations, SpaceX aims to avoid lengthy delays for its upcoming launches. This includes high-profile missions such as the privately funded Polaris Dawn mission and the delivery of astronauts to the International Space Station in a SpaceX Dragon capsule.

Additionally, SpaceX is moving forward with the fifth test flight of its Starship / Super Heavy launch system, with plans for a static-fire engine test already completed. The upcoming test flight will involve new landing procedures for the Super Heavy booster, potentially requiring a re-evaluation of SpaceX’s FAA license for Starship test flights.

Overall, SpaceX’s ability to resume launches after the FAA’s approval showcases the company’s commitment to safety and innovation in the space industry. With upcoming missions on the horizon, SpaceX continues to push the boundaries of space exploration and technology.