Tech Desk 
Jul 01, 2025
Elon Musk-led SpaceX has encountered a significant setback after one of its Falcon 9 rocket missions failed due to an engine malfunction.
The incident, which occurred during a launch earlier this year, resulted in the spacecraft being grounded pending a thorough investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
SpaceX launched its Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, carrying Starlink satellites into orbit.
However, the mission took a turn for the worse when the rocket's upper stage failed to reignite its engine due to a liquid oxygen leak. This led to the engine's "rapid unscheduled disassembly," or explosion, as confirmed by Elon Musk.
This incident marked the first time since 2016 that a SpaceX rocket experienced such a failure during launch operations. The Falcon 9 had become a reliable workhorse for SpaceX, conducting dozens of launches in 2024 alone.
However, the failure raised serious questions about the reliability of the Falcon 9, which has been used in numerous high-profile missions, including NASA's Crew Dragon launches.
SpaceX is fully cooperating with the FAA to investigate the precise cause of the incident. The accident is a significant loss, as the Falcon 9 has accounted for over half of all orbital launches this year. The company reportedly lost contact with 10 of the 20 onboard satellites, which are now in low orbit and unlikely to survive. However, they do not pose a danger to other satellites or public safety.
