SpaceX has been looking for a viable window to launch four private astronauts into orbit on the Polaris Dawn mission, where the crew hopes to become the first commercial spacefarers to conduct a spacewalk. The launch has already been delayed three times.
And next month, two NASA astronauts were scheduled to travel to the International Space Station on Crew-9, a mission that would in February also bring home the Boeing Starliner test crew. Just last week, NASA determined that the Starliner is unsafe to transport astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore back to Earth following their June arrival at the orbital outpost aboard the Boeing capsule.
But the future of both Polaris Dawn and Crew-9 now looks even more uncertain.
The Federal Aviation Administration ordered that no launches involving Falcon 9 rockets can take place for awhile after a rocket booster from an uncrewed SpaceX mission tipped over and exploded early Wednesday upon returning to Earth.
Polaris Dawn: SpaceX delays Polaris Dawn again, this time for ‘unfavorable weather’ for splashdown
Rocket booster has fiery landing after SpaceX satellite delivery
The rocket booster failure occurred in the early morning hours Thursday during a delivery of SpaceX’s Starlink internet satellites into orbit from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
While the overall mission appeared to be a success, the first stage of a Falcon 9 rocket failed to properly land on the uncrewed drone ship named “A Shortfall of Gravitas.” Instead, the booster exploded, sending flames billowing around the doomed booster, which then tumbled onto its side.
No injuries or public property damage were reported after the mishap, which occurred during the booster’s 23rd flight.
