NASA will independently recertify SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket before it next launches with astronauts or cargo, the agency confirmed Wednesday (July 17).
Falcon 9 The engine experienced a rare malfunction during combustion. SpaceX The second stage of the rocket Due to oxygen leakageA mandatory SpaceX investigation into the accident during Thursday’s (July 11) launch is ongoing, but SpaceX on Monday (July 15) asked the Federal Aviation Administration to allow future launches under a “public safety determination,” meaning the launch did not pose a risk to public safety.
SpaceX’s upcoming launch schedule National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)Next International Space Station The astronaut rotation, called Crew 9, could send four astronauts to the ISS as early as mid-August, but NASA program manager Dana Weigel said that even if the administration grants SpaceX’s request, NASA will have “its own process outside of the FAA rules.”
“The FAA must finish its job and give SpaceX the go-ahead to launch. [first]”It’s a big step forward,” she told Space.com during a live-streamed ISS briefing on Wednesday (July 17), noting that there are differences in the Falcon 9’s configuration. satellite And as for humans, NASA will “closely investigate” them, independent of the FAA.
Weigel added that the station’s supplies of food, water and other consumables are “on track” for the next four months. Northrop Grumman, the main supplier of cargo, Cygnus spaceshipAnother Falcon 9 launch is scheduled for August 3. Weigel said the launch will carry hardware to address the ISS’s broken urine-processing system. “We’re tracking down critical components that we want to get on board soon,” she said.
A NASA spokesperson told Space.com in an email that SpaceX is working with the NASA agency to recertify the Falcon 9 for flight to the ISS. “Crew safety and mission assurance are NASA’s highest priority. SpaceX has worked closely with the Federal Aviation Administration throughout the investigation, including implementing any necessary corrective actions prior to future NASA missions, and has kept NASA informed,” the statement read.
“NASA and its partners will also conduct a standard flight readiness review process to ensure the crewed mission flies as safely as possible.”
Related: SpaceX wants to resume Falcon 9 rocket launches until the FAA investigation is complete
SpaceX has sent eight NASA-led astronauts to the ISS, as well as three short-term missions. Axiomatic SpaceAll of this on board Crew DragonIt employs a manned version of the Falcon 9.
The Falcon 9 is the world’s most popular launch vehicle, with only two failures out of 366 launches in 14 years, according to SpaceX figures. The rocket is also used to launch cargo missions to the International Space Station, satellites for NASA and military forces, and many other missions.
SpaceX stressed that it is working closely with NASA throughout the investigation. “We’re grateful that we have a framework in place to respond when we encounter an event like this,” Sarah Walker, SpaceX’s Dragon mission manager, said at the same press conference. “This is our top priority right now,” she added.
The process with NASA is to “not only determine the specific cause of the observed problems, but also to take appropriate actions to prevent them in the future.” [and] How does it relate to other systems?” she added.
SpaceX’s near-term launch obligations include commercial Polaris Dawn The mission into space aboard the Falcon 9 is being funded by billionaire Jared Isaacman and is scheduled to launch on July 31. Walker said it’s too early to predict the timeline at this point, but promised that SpaceX would share information “if there are any impacts to our launch date in the near future.”
“We know how we’re going to proceed through each step of this process,” she added. “This is a joint review committee with the government customer, the FAA and SpaceX’s lead engineer, so we’ll be looking at that in more detail as we go along.”
