SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket faced an unexpected anomaly during its Thursday evening launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
The mission, intended to deploy 20 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit, encountered a problem with the rocket’s upper stage, resulting in a lower-than-intended orbit for the satellites.
Launch Details and Initial Success
The launch initially proceeded as planned, with the Falcon 9 rocket lifting off smoothly and its two stages separating on time. The first stage successfully landed on the droneship “Of Course I Still Love You” about eight minutes after liftoff, marking the 19th launch and landing for this particular booster. This landing was a demonstration of SpaceX’s expertise in rocket reusability, which has significantly reduced launch costs and increased the frequency of missions. The booster had already been used in numerous previous launches, showcasing the durability and reliability of the Falcon 9 design.
However, the mission encountered issues with the upper stage, which is responsible for delivering the payload to its final orbit. The upper stage’s second burn, critical for reaching the intended deployment altitude, failed to complete due to an engine malfunction. Elon Musk, SpaceX’s CEO, explained the situation, stating, “Upper stage restart to raise perigee resulted in an engine RUD for reasons currently unknown. Team is reviewing data tonight to understand root cause. Starlink satellites were deployed, but the perigee may be too low for them to raise orbit. Will know more in a few hours.” The term “RUD” stands for “rapid unscheduled disassembly,” indicating that the engine likely suffered a catastrophic failure.
Upper stage restart to raise perigee resulted in an engine RUD for reasons currently unknown. Team is reviewing data tonight to understand root cause.
Starlink satellites were deployed, but the perigee may be too low for them to raise orbit. Will know more in a few hours.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 12, 2024
Upper Stage Anomaly and Satellite Deployment
The failure of the upper stage to complete its second burn meant that the 20 Starlink satellites were released into a lower orbit than planned. This lower orbit poses a significant challenge because the satellites must raise their orbits using their onboard ion thrusters. SpaceX has made contact with five of the satellites so far and is attempting to use their thrusters to raise their orbits above the drag of the Earth’s atmosphere, which could otherwise cause them to re-enter and burn up. Elon Musk commented on this effort, saying, “We’re updating satellite software to run the ion thrusters at their equivalent of warp 9. Unlike a Star Trek episode, this will probably not work, but it’s worth a shot.”
This situation underscores the complexity and risk inherent in space missions. The ability to manually correct orbits using ion thrusters is a testament to the advanced technology integrated into Starlink satellites. These thrusters are essential for station-keeping and orbital adjustments, allowing satellites to maintain their designated positions in the constellation and avoid collisions with other space debris.
Implications for SpaceX’s Future Missions
The anomaly marks a rare occurrence for the Falcon 9, a rocket known for its reliability and frequent reuse. With 69 launches already completed in 2024, the Falcon 9 has been the workhorse of SpaceX’s launch operations, particularly for deploying the ever-growing Starlink megaconstellation. Each successful launch adds to SpaceX’s capability to provide global broadband internet coverage, a service that aims to bridge the digital divide by bringing internet access to remote and underserved areas around the world.
Thursday’s mission was particularly notable because it included satellites equipped with direct-to-cell capabilities. These satellites are designed to enhance global mobile connectivity, potentially transforming how people access the internet, especially in regions without reliable ground-based infrastructure. The deployment of such advanced technology highlights SpaceX’s role in driving innovation in satellite communications.
Despite the setback, SpaceX’s robust response to the anomaly demonstrates the company’s commitment to transparency and continuous improvement. Investigating and understanding the root cause of the failure is crucial for preventing similar issues in future missions. As part of this process, SpaceX will analyze telemetry data and conduct detailed examinations of the upper stage components to identify any potential design or manufacturing flaws.
