The launch of space tourists scheduled for this month is in jeopardy.
Completely stopped
All of SpaceX’s flagship Falcon 9 rockets The landing was officially banned. An investigation into the upper stage accident is pending by the Federal Aviation Administration. Freeze and experience catastrophic failure last week.
It’s the end of an incredible streak. Before Thursday’s explosion, SpaceX had launched an astounding 344 Fallon 9 rockets in succession without incident. The last accident was back in June 2015. Loss of Dragon cargo capsule On the way to the International Space Station.
Before the Falcon 9 can fly again, the FAA noted in a statement that a “joint failure investigation” must first be completed.
“Return to flight will be permitted only if the FAA determines that any systems, processes, or procedures related to the accident do not affect public safety,” the FAA said in a statement. “In addition, SpaceX may be required to apply for and receive approval from the FAA an amendment to its license that would incorporate the corrective actions and satisfy all other license requirements.”
Rocket fiasco
It remains to be seen what the next few weeks of SpaceX’s planned launches will be like. Most notably, billionaire astronaut Jared Isaacman First private spacewalk completed Outside the Crew Dragon spacecraft. Polaris Dawnis tentatively scheduled for July 31, but given the latest news, delays should be expected.
But Isaacman isn’t discouraged by the FAA’s ongoing investigation.
“SpaceX has had a great track record with the Falcon 9,” he said. Tweeted“Speaking from personal experience, when an issue does occur, they are very transparent. I have no doubt that they will quickly determine the cause and ensure that we have the most cost-effective, reliable launch vehicles to keep payloads in orbit.”
“As for Polaris Dawn, SpaceX plans to fly it whenever it’s ready and has full confidence in the rocket, the spacecraft and the operation,” he added.
After Polaris Dawn, NASA may have a hard time sending astronauts to the ISS. The next crew to head to the ISS aboard Crew Dragon is scheduled to launch on August 19.
It’s still not clear what happened last week. SpaceX was planning to launch its fleet of Starlink internet satellites, a routine procedure for the space company, which has launched more than 6,000 satellites to date over 100 times in the past five years.
The video showed an abnormal amount of ice building up on the rocket’s upper stage, with SpaceX CEO Elon Musk saying: Will be mentioned later “Rapid unplanned disintegration” is a satirical reference to a rocket exploding during flight.
The satellite released from the rocket will not go into orbit, but will “re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere and be completely destroyed,” he said. SpaceX Update“It does not pose a threat to other satellites in orbit or to public safety.”
Launch details: SpaceX rocket suffers catastrophic failure, explodes during satellite launch
