SpaceX encountered an unusual setback on Thursday during the launch of a Falcon 9 rocket, which was carrying a batch of Starlink satellites.
The company intended to launch 20 satellites from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. However, a few hours post-launch, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk revealed that the rocket experienced a rapid unscheduled disassembly (RUD) while in orbit.
In a social media statement, SpaceX reported that the rocket’s second stage failed to complete its second burn, resulting in the Starlink satellites being deployed into a lower than intended orbit. SpaceX has since made contact with five of the satellites and is working to elevate them into higher orbit.
Musk humorously noted, “We’re updating satellite software to run the ion thrusters at their equivalent of warp 9. Unlike a Star Trek episode, this will probably not work, but it’s worth a shot.”
Such incidents are rare for the Falcon 9, which completed nearly 100 launches last year. Its last failure was in 2016 when a rocket exploded during fueling on the launchpad ahead of an engine test. Prior to this latest launch, SpaceX had deployed 6,720 Starlink satellites through 180 Falcon 9 flights, according to Jonathan McDowell, an astrophysicist and space statistician.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) acknowledged the event in a statement to Nasa Space Flight on Friday, noting there were no reported injuries or public property damage. The agency announced it would require an investigation into the incident.
This incident occurs as the FAA prepares to gather public input on SpaceX’s proposal to increase the number of Starship and Super Heavy booster launches from Texas. SpaceX aims to conduct up to 25 launches and landings each year of its Starship and the booster. Currently, the company is permitted five launches and 10 landings of the Starship megarocket, along with up to 10 landings of the Super Heavy booster annually from its Boca Chica, Texas facility.
The FAA has scheduled four public meetings next month, one of which will be virtual, to discuss the environmental impact of the proposed launches and SpaceX’s plans to upgrade its megarocket.