FAA Clears SpaceX Falcon 9 for Launch Following Starlink 17-32 Investigation

WASHINGTON — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has authorized SpaceX to resume flight operations for its Falcon 9 rocket, concluding a rapid investigation into an upper-stage anomaly that occurred during a Starlink mission on Feb. 2, 2026.

In a statement released Feb. 6, 2026, the regulatory agency confirmed it had accepted the findings of the SpaceX-led mishap investigation regarding the Starlink 17-32 mission. The investigation determined that the Falcon 9 second stage failed to execute a planned deorbit burn after successfully deploying its payload on Feb. 2, 2026.

Root Cause Identified

The swift closure of the inquiry—taking just four days—suggests the issue was isolated and clearly identifiable within the vehicle's telemetry. According to the FAA, the final mishap report cites the "probable root cause was the Falcon 9 stage 2 engine's failure to ignite prior to the deorbit burn."

While the primary mission of delivering satellites to orbit was successful, the second stage is designed to reignite its single Merlin Vacuum engine to steer itself into a destructive reentry over a remote ocean corridor. When this ignition failed, the stage was stranded in orbit.

SpaceX’s automated safety systems did manage to "passivate" the stage, venting remaining propellant and pressure to prevent an explosion. The agency confirmed there were "no public injuries or damage to public property" resulting from the failure.

Corrective Actions and Schedule

SpaceX has identified "technical and organizational preventative measures" to prevent a recurrence, which the FAA has accepted. The specific details of these engineering fixes were not publicly disclosed, a standard practice for proprietary launch vehicle data.

The quick authorization is a significant relief for the U.S. spaceflight sector. The Falcon 9 is currently the only operational launch vehicle certified to carry NASA astronauts to the International Space Station. A prolonged grounding could have impacted the upcoming manifest, which includes critical national security payloads and human spaceflight missions.

With the license active as of Feb. 6, 2026, SpaceX is expected to resume its high-cadence launch schedule immediately from its pads in Florida and California.