SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, renowned for its reliability and frequent launches, has been grounded for the second time in two months. This decision comes after federal regulators announced they would review a wayward landing attempt that occurred on Wednesday morning, raising concerns about the rocket’s operational integrity.
The grounding of Falcon 9 puts a halt to two critical human spaceflight missions that were on the near horizon. SpaceX was gearing up for a daring mission dubbed Polaris Dawn, scheduled to launch as soon as this week. Additionally, the company was expected to send two NASA astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) next month on the Crew-9 mission. This mission is particularly significant as it will also return Boeing Starliner’s test flight astronauts, who have been stranded on the ISS since the first leg of their journey in early June.
The Falcon 9’s grounding marks a rare setback for SpaceX, which has built a reputation for its rapid launch cadence and reliable rocket recoveries. Federal regulators have not yet provided a timeline for the review process, leaving the future scheduling of these key missions uncertain. The space community will be closely watching how SpaceX navigates this challenge and what adjustments may be needed to ensure the safe resumption of its launch operations.
