FAA Grounds SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches After Malfunction

SpaceX's Falcon 9 launches are temporarily grounded following a booster rocket accident that occurred during a landing attempt off the Florida coast. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has mandated an investigation, requiring SpaceX to identify the cause and implement corrective actions before resuming flights. The incident took place after the rocket successfully delivered 21 Starlink satellites into orbit, marking the 23rd launch for this particular booster, which is a record for SpaceX's recycling efforts. No injuries or public damage were reported, but the accident has already led to the cancellation of a subsequent Starlink launch and poses potential delays for upcoming missions, including a private spaceflight and a NASA astronaut mission scheduled for next month. SpaceX's Jon Edwards expressed the company's commitment to resolving the issue as quickly as possible, highlighting the unique history of each booster lost. The duration of the grounding has yet to be determined by the FAA, pending safety evaluations.