Cape Canaveral, Florida – After a delay in the scheduled Polaris Dawn launch, SpaceX swiftly moved forward with plans to launch Starlink internet satellites from both Florida and California. However, the second launch was scrapped after the first stage used in the Florida launch failed to land properly and toppled into the Atlantic Ocean. This accident marked the end of a streak of 267 successful booster recoveries dating back to February 2021.
Despite the setback, the Falcon 9’s second stage successfully deployed 21 Starlink satellites into their intended orbit. The first stage landing, which initially appeared normal, took a turn for the worse with flames visible as the rocket neared touchdown. A landing leg collapsed upon touchdown, causing the booster to tip over into the Atlantic.
SpaceX confirmed the mishap on social media and stated that teams were analyzing the booster’s flight data and status. The first stage, known as B1062, had previously completed 23 successful launches and landings, setting a new record for reuse. SpaceX’s goal is to certify Falcon 9 first stages for up to 40 flights each.
Following the successful deployment of Starlink satellites from Florida, SpaceX decided to postpone the California launch to review telemetry and video footage for any potential issues that could impact future launches. The company indicated that a new target launch date would be announced once the review was complete.
In addition to the details of the recent launches, updated Falcon 9 statistics were shared, highlighting the total number of launches, successful missions, and other relevant data. The continuation of SpaceX’s ambitious launch schedule underscores the company’s ongoing efforts to advance space exploration and satellite deployment capabilities.