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SpaceX's Falcon 9 Resumes Launches After FAA Approves Return to Flight Operations

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SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket has been cleared by the FAA to resume flight operations after a brief suspension due to a landing anomaly. The FAA announced that while the investigation into the incident continues, Falcon 9 can proceed with launches, meeting all other license requirements.

FAA Approves Falcon 9 Flights After Investigating Booster Landing Anomaly During Starlink Mission

SpaceX's Falcon 9 booster has received flight approval operations from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in a swift turnaround, per Teslarati.

Following the successful launch and deployment of 21 Starlink satellites earlier this week, the FAA revoked Falcon 9's launch permittance due to an anomaly.

The Falcon 9 booster plummeted to the ground after attempting to land on the 'A Shortfall from Gravitas' drone ship in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, a rare occurrence.

Vice President Jon Edwards of SpaceX addressed the incident this week:

“Losing a booster is always sad. Each one of them has a unique history and character. Thankfully this doesn’t happen often.”

Subsequently, the FAA suspended Falcon 9 launches earlier this week. The agency announced on August 28 that it would investigate the landing issue.

“The FAA is aware an anomaly occurred during the SpaceX Starlink Group 8-6 mission that launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on August 28. The incident involved the failure of the Falcon 9 booster rocket while landing on a droneship at sea. No public injuries or public property damage have been reported. The FAA is requiring an investigation.”

FAA Permits SpaceX to Resume Falcon 9 Launches for Starlink and Polaris Dawn Missions

In late August 30, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) officially announced that Falcon 9 launches would be permitted again.

“The SpaceX Falcon 9 vehicle may return to flight operations while the overall investigation of the anomaly during the Starlink Group 8-6 mission remains open, provided all other license requirements are met. SpaceX made the return to flight request on August 29 and the FAA gave approval on August 30.”

SpaceX can resume Starlink launches now that the FAA has regained approval. This also opens the possibility of the Polaris Dawn mission taking off shortly, as the company delayed it earlier this week due to unfavorable landing conditions.

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