Third Issue in Three Months for Falcon 9 Rocket

  • FAA requires investigation of anomaly on SpaceX’s Crew-9 launch
  • Falcon 9 second stage landed outside designated hazard area
  • No public injuries or property damage reported
  • Third Falcon 9 issue in less than three months
  • SpaceX pauses launches for investigation
  • Investigation overseen by FAA, duration unclear

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has ordered an investigation into the recent anomaly experienced by SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket during the Crew-9 mission on September 28, which saw a Crew Dragon capsule carrying NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov to the International Space Station. The issue involved the upper stage landing outside of its designated hazard area. This marks the third anomaly for Falcon 9 in less than three months, following a liquid-oxygen leak on July 11 and a failed first-stage landing attempt on August 28. SpaceX has paused launches while it investigates the issue, which will be overseen by the FAA.

Factuality Level: 8
Factuality Justification: The article provides accurate information about the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket anomaly during the Crew-9 mission, including details on the issue experienced and its impact on future launches. It also mentions previous issues with the Falcon 9 rocket within a short time frame. However, it could provide more context on the Europa Clipper mission and the implications of the current hiatus for SpaceX’s launch manifest.
Noise Level: 3
Noise Justification: The article provides relevant information about the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket anomaly during the Crew-9 mission and its impact on future launches. It also mentions previous issues with the rocket but does not contain any irrelevant or misleading information. The reporting is accurate and stays on topic, supporting claims with details from official sources. However, it could provide more analysis of long-term trends or possibilities and actionable insights.
Public Companies: SpaceX (N/A), NASA (N/A)
Key People: Nick Hague (NASA astronaut), Aleksandr Gorbunov (Russian cosmonaut)

Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: SpaceX, aerospace industry
Financial Rating Justification: The article discusses an issue with SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket that has led to the company pausing launches for investigation by the FAA. This affects SpaceX’s launch schedule and could impact their business operations, making it financially relevant.
Presence Of Extreme Event: Yes
Nature Of Extreme Event: Technological Disruption (cyber-attacks, major service outages, data breaches, etc.)
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: Minor
Extreme Rating Justification: An anomaly occurred during the SpaceX Crew-9 mission, causing a pause in launches and affecting their busy launch manifest.
Move Size: No market move size mentioned.
Sector: Aerospace
Direction: Down
Magnitude: Large
Affected Instruments: Stocks

Reported publicly: www.space.com