FAA grounds SpaceX after rocket falls over in flames

[sl8]

Source: VOA/Associated Press

August 29, 2024 2:33 AM

SpaceX launches are on hold after a booster rocket toppled over in flames while landing Wednesday.

The Federal Aviation Administration grounded the company's Falcon 9 rockets and ordered an investigation following the predawn accident off the Florida coast. No injuries or public damage were reported.

It’s too early to know how much impact this will have on SpaceX’s upcoming crew flights, one private and the other for NASA. A billionaire's chartered flight was delayed just a few hours earlier because of a poor weather forecast.

The rocket blasted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and got all 21 Starlink internet satellites to orbit. But the first-stage booster fell over in a fireball moments after landing on an ocean platform, the first such accident in years. It was the 23rd time this particular booster had launched, a recycling record for SpaceX.

Read more: https://www.voanews.com/a/faa-grounds-spacex-after-rocket-falls-over-in-flames-at-landing/7763585.html

[question everything]

1. And this is expected to bring the stranded astronauts back?

[republianmushroom]

2. Was but not now.

[OnlinePoker]

3. No...this was the booster, not the capsule.

SpaceX had 267 successful landings prior to this failure. This is more successful reentries than any other launch platform ever. Hate Musk if you want, but this company is top notch when it comes to reliability.

[ThoughtCriminal]

4. They really should have a restraining system

to secure the booster at touchdown. some cables on poles to lasso the rocket.

Less cool as a booster nailing the landing on its own, but a relatively inexpensive and reliable way to make sure it does not topple.

[truthisfreedom]

5. SpaceX could easily have ditched their boosters at sea

This doesn’t look like a problem for launch.