SpaceX Falcon 9 Suffers Rare Malfunction During Starlink Mission
Engine Malfunction in Space
On Thursday night, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket experienced a rare engine malfunction during a routine Starlink mission. This incident jeopardised the satellites and marked the company’s first rocket failure in over seven years.
Failed Second Stage Ignition
About an hour after launching from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, the SpaceX Falcon 9 second stage failed to reignite in space. This malfunction resulted in the deployment of 20 Starlink satellites into a much lower orbit than intended. These satellites now face the risk of burning up in Earth’s atmosphere.
Elon Musk’s Response
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk addressed the issue on his social media platform X. He described the engine failure as an “engine RUD,” a term that stands for Rapid Unscheduled Disassembly, often implying an explosion. Musk noted that the cause of the failure is still unknown.
To mitigate the situation, Musk mentioned that SpaceX is updating the software of the Starlink satellites. This update aims to force their on-board thrusters to fire harder than usual to avoid reentry into the atmosphere. However, Musk added, “unlike a Star Trek episode, this will probably not work, but it’s worth a shot.”
Impact on SpaceX’s Track Record
This incident breaks SpaceX’s impressive streak of successful launches. The company, valued at approximately $200 billion, has been a dominant force in the space industry, providing launch services for numerous countries and companies.
The malfunction occurred during Falcon 9’s 354th mission. It marks the first failure since 2016, when a rocket exploded on a launch pad in Florida, destroying an Israeli communications satellite.
Aiming to Save the Satellites
Musk explained that for the satellites to survive, their thrusters need to raise their orbit faster than atmospheric drag pulls them down. Otherwise, they will burn up upon reentry.
Despite the efforts to save the satellites, the outcome remains uncertain. This incident serves as a reminder of the challenges and complexities involved in space missions.