Topic: SpaceX first stage loss on Starlink 8-6 launch
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 53015 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 08-28-2024 12:42 PM
On Wednesday (Aug. 28) at 3:48 a.m. EDT (0748 GMT), a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched 21 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
After a successful ascent, the Falcon 9's first stage booster tipped over following touchdown on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship. This was the booster's 23rd launch.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is requiring an investigation, which may affect the launch dates of Polaris Dawn, Crew-9 and Europa Clipper, among other upcoming missions. From an FAA statement:
A return to flight of the Falcon 9 booster rocket is based on the FAA determining that any system, process, or procedure related to the anomaly does not affect public safety. In addition, SpaceX may need to request and receive approval from the FAA to modify its license that incorporates any corrective actions and meet all other licensing requirements.
KenDavis Member
Posts: 228 From: E.Sussex United Kingdom Registered: May 2003
posted 08-29-2024 02:09 AM
Not sure I understand the reason for grounding Falcon and a FAA investigation.
This was a normal launch, nothing went off course, payloads were deployed, and re-entry was normal. In the words of SpaceX this was recovery issue only. If SpaceX weren't doing an amazing job in recovering their boosters this wouldn't be an issue.
I'm all for investigating the cause, but isn't that something for SpaceX rather than the FAA?
india-mike Member
Posts: 141 From: Linnich, Northrine Westfalia, Germany Registered: Jan 2012
posted 08-29-2024 03:15 AM
This issue is not about ascent or stage separation of the first stage. This issue must be solely for the fly-back capability and landing operations for the first stage.
So at first, SpaceX will look into the problem and hopefully identify the malfunction. Maybe this malfunction requires further actions from SpaceX that means a recertification is required. And any malfunction with the fly-back capability can harm people on the ground.
KenDavis Member
Posts: 228 From: E.Sussex United Kingdom Registered: May 2003
posted 08-29-2024 03:34 AM
If the booster had gone off course during re-entry then I agree, that is a risk that could cause injury or damage and needs investigation, but didn't the booster make it to the landing barge intact? So I see that as a hard landing (albeit a catastrophic one) rather than a fly back malfunction.
I'm assuming a hard landing but maybe I need to wait for more details.
issman1 Member
Posts: 1133 From: UK Registered: Apr 2005
posted 08-29-2024 06:15 AM
Since the booster was lost whilst touching down on a drone ship at sea, surely there was no threat to "public safety". Had it been a RTLS landing then it could have.
That said, I would hope SpaceX resolves this issue satisfactorily as live coverage of an explosion (even on its drone ship) is never a good look.
Axman Member
Posts: 569 From: Derbyshire UK Registered: Mar 2023
posted 08-29-2024 06:39 AM
It does seem rather punitive to ground SpaceX's Falcon 9 after going wrong at the return landing point when the vast majority of first stage boosters literally just drop from the sky.
Ken Havekotte Member
Posts: 3850 From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard Registered: Mar 2001
posted 08-29-2024 07:05 AM
Just from a quick armchair observation of the return landing video of Falcon 9's first stage, it looked to me that either the first stage used center Merlin engine failed to shut down right after touchdown or that a fire from the engine erupted somehow. I am sure SpaceX will have a cause of the incident very soon.
As for the FAA issue at large, I can understand both sides of the controversy. But I guess when an in-flight vehicle is not operating as planned, there has always been a concern of safety involved. Even though Falcon 9's return first stage was over the sea, I would think it would not apply in this scenario, but would be a major concern if landing on the Cape-side SpaceX return pads with populated areas so close by.
damnyankee36 Member
Posts: 70 From: Alamogordo, NM USA Registered: Aug 2017
posted 08-29-2024 01:10 PM
Maybe I missed it, but were there FAA investigations for every landing failure SpaceX endured before it finally made a successful one?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 53015 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 08-29-2024 04:14 PM
From what I understand, SpaceX included the attempts in their flight plan submitted to the FAA. After it worked, when something went awry, the company submitted brief anomaly reports. There were not investigations.
Of course, there is a difference between trying to develop a new flight profile and loosing a rocket when the majority land successfully. Its easy to assume that this was just a landing issue or a factor of the stage's repeated reuse, but until SpaceX reports what they believe went wrong, no one knows.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 53015 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
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.
SpaceX made the return to flight request on Aug. 29 and the FAA gave approval on Aug. 30.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 53015 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 08-30-2024 08:47 PM
From SpaceX:
SpaceX is targeting Friday, August 30 for a Falcon 9 launch of 21 Starlink satellites, including 13 with Direct to Cell capabilities, to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Liftoff is targeted for 9:58 p.m. PT.
A live webcast of this mission will begin about five minutes prior to liftoff, which you can watch here and on X at @SpaceX.
This is the ninth flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Crew-7, CRS-29, NROL-186, EarthCARE, Transporter 10, PACE, and two Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, which will be stationed in the Pacific Ocean.
Also from SpaceX:
SpaceX is targeting Saturday, August 31 for a Falcon 9 launch of 21 Starlink satellites, including 13 with Direct to Cell capabilities, to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Liftoff is targeted for 3:43 a.m. ET.
A live webcast of this mission will begin about five minutes prior to liftoff, which you can watch here and on X at @SpaceX.
This is the 18th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched CRS-24, OneWeb 1, SES 18 & 19, Eutelsat HOTBIRD-F1, and 13 Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Just Read The Instructions droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 53015 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 08-31-2024 09:29 AM
Both return to flight launches were successful, including the recoveries of both Falcon 9 first stages on their respective drone ships.
posted 08-28-2024 12:42 PM
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