FILE PHOTO: A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is prepared to launch NASA's astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Gorbunov on the Crew-9 mission to the International Space Station at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida, U.S., September 27, 2024. Launch is scheduled for September 28. REUTERS/Joe Skipper/File Photo
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Federal Aviation Administration said on Friday it had approved the return to flight of the SpaceX Falcon 9 vehicle after it reviewed and accepted the SpaceX-led investigation findings and corrective actions for the mishap that occurred Sept. 28.
The FAA on Sept. 30 said SpaceX had to investigate why the second stage of its Falcon 9 malfunctioned after a NASA astronaut mission, grounding the launch vehicle for the third time in three months. The malfunction caused the booster to fall into a region of the Pacific Ocean outside of the designated safety zone the FAA approved.
The FAA also said Friday it closed the SpaceX-led investigations for the Falcon 9 mishaps that occurred with Starlink missions in July and August.
(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Chris Reese)
