An engine malfunction has prevented a Falcon 9 rocket from delivering its payload to orbit.
SpaceXs Falcon 9 rocket launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at 10:35 p.m.
ET on Thursday, carrying a batch of 20 Starlink satellites.
Falcon 9 rocket launch.© SpaceX The Falcon 9 rocket has pulled off 68 launches this year alone, but its last flight didn’t go as planned.
Upper stage restart to raise perigee resulted in an engine RUD for reasons currently unknown.
Team is reviewing data tonight to understand root cause.
Starlink satellites were deployed, but the perigee may be too low for them to raise orbit.
Will know more in a few hours.
Team is reviewing data tonight to understand root cause.
Musks comment suggests the vehicle broke apart after reaching space.
Falcon 9s winning streak is over
The engine anomaly is unusual for SpaceXs workhorse rocket.
Falcon 9 has 354 launches under its belt, with 68 liftoffs this year so far.
Falcon 9s previous malfunction took place in September 2016, when therocket exploded while still on the launch pad.
Falcon 9 has consistently provided space agencies and private companies with reliable access to orbit.
With a packed schedule for the remainder of the year, its grounding could temporarily disrupt the industry.
SpaceX is now actively investigating the root cause of the latest malfunction to address this setback.
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