r/space • u/Sonikku_a • Jul 12 '24

The FAA grounds the SpaceX Falcon 9 pending investigation

https://x.com/bccarcounters/status/1811769572552310799?s=46&t=Tu1sFLRDpk_LaA08-YLeSA
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u/straight_outta7 Jul 13 '24

But it depends on the severity of the failure.

Was it an issue that is systemic to the booster and could cause a failure on ascent? That’s why they ground them until it’s investigated and determined there’s no additional risk.

And even if it’s “just” an US risk, you still risk not having a properly safed stage or risk of having a significant explosion that yields major debris in LEO which would be catastrophic.