The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted SpaceX permission to resume Falcon 9 rocket launches after a brief two-week hiatus. The approval came swiftly after an inflight anomaly during a Starlink satellite launch on July 11. SpaceX is set to launch its next mission, carrying satellites, as early as Saturday.
The FAA’s quick decision follows a rare issue where the rocket’s upper stage failed to reignite, though the booster stage operated as expected. The incident did not pose any public safety risks, according to the FAA’s statement. SpaceX, known for its frequent launches, had argued that its vast experience and data from over 300 consecutive successful missions justified a rapid return to service.
In its investigation, SpaceX identified the problem as a cracked “sense line,” a tube associated with the rocket’s liquid oxygen system. A loose clamp and engine vibrations caused the crack, leading to a leak that prevented the engine from restarting in space. To address the issue, SpaceX has removed the sense line and its pressure sensor from the upper stage engine for upcoming launches. The company emphasized that these components are not critical for safety and that they will use alternative sensors temporarily.
SpaceX is currently testing a permanent fix under FAA supervision. The company also conducted an additional review of all similar components across its active booster fleet, proactively replacing parts in select areas.
With safety as a top priority, SpaceX continues to focus on maintaining the reliability of its launch operations. The company expressed confidence in its ability to sustain its ambitious launch schedule, averaging a mission every two to three days this year.
