SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket suffers engine failure during Starlink satellite launch

For the first time since 2016, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket experienced a catastrophic failure after a liquid oxygen leak developed on the spacecraft’s second stage – an incident that could delay future launches at least temporarily.

The Falcon 9 launched Thursday night from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California and was on a mission to deliver 20 Starlink satellites into orbit when the problem occurred.

“Upper stage restart to raise perigee resulted in an engine RUD [rapid unscheduled disassembly] for reasons currently unknown,” SpaceX CEO Elon Musk posted on Twitter. “Team is reviewing data tonight to understand root cause.”

Musk said the Starlink satellites aboard the Falcon 9 were deployed but in an orbit that was too low. The company said Friday on its website that the satellites are expected to re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere and be destroyed.

In a statement, SpaceX said that the Falcon 9′s first stage “performed nominally, carrying the second stage and Starlink satellites to orbit” and then separating from the second stage as expected. The first stage returned to Earth and landed successfully on a droneship.

“Falcon 9′s second stage performed its first burn nominally, however a liquid oxygen leak developed on the second stage,” the statement said. “After a planned relight of the upper stage engine to raise perigee – or the lowest point of orbit – the Merlin Vacuum engine experienced an anomaly and was unable to complete its second burn.”

SpaceX said it worked unsuccessfully overnight to try to get the Starlink satellites positioned into their correct obit, but they are too low to survive.

“The satellites were left in an enormously high-drag environment only 135 km above the Earth,” the company said. “As such, the satellites will re-enter Earth’s atmosphere and fully demise.”

It added, “They do not pose a threat to other satellites in orbit or to public safety.”

SpaceX said it will work the the Federal Aviation Administration to investigate the Falcon 9 accident “to determine root cause, and make corrective actions to ensure the success of future missions.”

The FAA said in a statement to NASA Spaceflight it “will be involved in every step of the investigation process and must approve SpaceX’s final report, including any corrective actions.

“A return to flight is based on the FAA determining that any system, process or procedure related to the mishap does not affect public safety. In addition, SpaceX may need to request and receive approval from the FAA to modify its license that incorporates any corrective actions and meet all other licensing requirements.”

The private space company, which delivers commercial satellites into obit as well as ferrying American astronauts to and from the International Space Station, noted it has successfully completed 364 previous missions aboard Falcons, calling the rocket “one of the most reliable in the world.”

“With a robust satellite and rocket production capability, and a high launch cadence, we’re positioned to rapidly recover and continue our pace as the world’s most active launch services provider,” the company said.