SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket grounded for 3rd time in 3 months following crash-landing

SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket has been grounded for the third time in three months due to an investigation by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) following an "off-nominal" crash-landing in the ocean. The incident occurred after the rocket successfully launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on September 28, carrying a capsule intended for a rescue mission to bring stranded astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams back to Earth in February 2025. Although the capsule reached the International Space Station (ISS) as planned, the second stage of the rocket experienced issues during its deorbit burn, leading to an uncontrolled landing outside the designated area. This grounding follows two previous incidents this year: one involving the premature release of Starlink satellites and another where a booster exploded upon landing. Despite these setbacks, Falcon 9 rockets have maintained a high success rate, with over 99% of launches successful in the past 14 years.

- SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket is grounded for the third time in three months due to an FAA investigation.

- The grounding follows an uncontrolled crash-landing of the rocket's second stage in the ocean.

- The rocket was part of a mission to transport astronauts to the ISS and eventually return stranded astronauts to Earth.

- Previous groundings this year were due to a premature satellite release and a booster explosion.

- Falcon 9 rockets have a strong success rate, with over 99% of launches successful in the last 14 years.