SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket Experiences In-Flight Failure During Launch

Following the mishap, Elon Musk said the satellite software was being updated 'to run the ion thrusters at their equivalent of warp 9.'

Amelia Walsh

Friday, July 12, 2024 at 01:20 PM ET

Verified

Edited By: tccjeremy

Telemetry of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket at liftoff on July 11, 2024. [Screenshot/ SpaceX]

Key Takeaways:

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket experienced its first in-flight malfunction in nearly a decade during a Starlink satellite launch.
The second-stage engine failed to complete its second burn, resulting in the Starlink satellites being deployed into a lower-than-intended orbit.
SpaceX is attempting to use the satellites' ion thrusters to raise their orbit, and the satellites are designed to burn up safely upon re-entry.

See a mistake? Contact us.

For the first time in nearly a decade, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket experienced a malfunction while attempting to deliver a batch of internet satellites into orbit on Thursday night.

The launch, occurring around 10:30 p.m. PDT at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, is a rare mishap for SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, which routinely flies NASA astronauts to orbit.