SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket grounded after in-flight failure

Falcon 9 had turned into workhorse for SpaceX, conducting 70 launches
The image shows SpaceX Falcon 9 launching Starlink satellites to orbit from Florida on March 26 2024. — X/@SpaceX
The image shows SpaceX Falcon 9 launching Starlink satellites to orbit from Florida on March 26 2024. — X/@SpaceX

Elon Musk-led SpaceX has encountered a significant setback after one of its Falcon 9 rocket missions failed due to an engine malfunction. 

The incident, which occurred during a recent launch, resulted in the spacecraft being grounded pending a thorough investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

On Thursday night, SpaceX launched its Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, carrying Starlink satellites into orbit. 

However, the mission took a turn for the worse when the rocket's upper stage failed to reignite its engine due to a liquid oxygen leak. This led to the engine's "rapid unscheduled disassembly," or explosion, as confirmed by Elon Musk.

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This incident marks the first time since 2016 that a SpaceX rocket has exploded on the launch pad. The Falcon 9 had become a reliable workhorse for SpaceX, conducting 70 launches in 2024 alone.

However, this failure raises serious questions about the reliability of the Falcon 9, which has been used in numerous high-profile missions, including NASA's Crew Dragon launches.

SpaceX is fully cooperating with the FAA to investigate the precise cause of the incident. The accident is a significant loss, as the Falcon 9 has accounted for 52% of all orbital launches this year. The company has lost contact with 10 of the 20 onboard satellites, which are reportedly in low orbit and unlikely to survive. However, they do not pose a danger to other satellites or public safety.