SpaceX Falcon 9 makes a comeback flight after recent second stage malfunction

On October 15, 2024, SpaceX conducted a comeback flight for the Falcon 9 rocket after this launch vehicle was grounded post Crew-9 human passenger launch to the International Space Station. The payload of this flight included 23 Starlink satellites.

The weather supported this flight and the mission director gave it a go for propellant load. The rocket lifted off from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station In Florida.

The first stage used in this mission completed its 11th liftoff and landed on a droneship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean. The booster previously supported missions including Euclid, Axiom-2, Axiom-3, Cygnus NG-21, SES 24, CRS-30, and four Starlink launches.

Previous Events

After launching the Crew-9 Dragon capsule into orbit, the second stage experienced an off-nominal deorbit burn. Although, the stage landed successfully in the sea but missed the target zone.

The rocket maker called in a self-investigation to find the cause of this disfunction and the company grounded the rocket.

On October 7, the FAA temporarily allowed SpaceX to fly the Falcon 9 mission for ESA’s Hera satellite launch mission. However, the company wasn’t allowed the reentry for the second stage, which was sent to an interplanetary orbit trajectory.

Four days later, the FAA announced SpaceX to restart regular missions and confiemed that the investigation was wrapped up for this flight.