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July 16 news, recently, SpaceX'sFalconThe second stage of the No. 9 rocket failed while launching the Starlink satellite. NASA (NASA) is evaluating this SpaceXRocket launchingWhether the failure will affect the progress of its next manned space mission.

Last Thursday, a rare anomaly occurred during the launch of the Starlink satellite by the Falcon 9 rocket. The second stage of the rocket failed to work as planned, causing the satellite to be trapped in an abnormal orbit. Currently, SpaceX and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are investigating the cause of the accident, and related international space station missions are also under review.

The Falcon 9 rocket is also used to launch SpaceX's Crew Dragonspaceship, NASAastronautThe next mission, named Crew-9, scheduled for mid-August, is intended to replace Crew-8, which has been on the ISS for about half a year since March.

NASA emphasized in an emailed statement late last Friday that "ensuring the safety of personnel and the smooth progress of the mission is the top priority." As further information is disclosed, NASA will provide updates, including possible impacts on mission schedules. The statement also mentioned that SpaceX has been informing NASA of the progress of the anomaly investigation.

Missions to the International Space Station typically last six months. Astronauts can stay in space longer if needed. Currently, SpaceX is the only company fully certified to send astronauts into space from the United States.

Boeing's Starliner spacecraft has not yet been cleared for missions to the International Space Station. Currently, two astronauts are on a mission called "crewed flight test." The Starliner spacecraft can only return to Earth in an emergency. After docking with the International Space Station on June 6, the spacecraft experienced a helium leak and thruster problems, and a complex investigation is underway. Although the original mission was planned to last only 10 days, a landing date has not yet been determined due to these ongoing problems.

In addition, SpaceX also uses the Falcon 9 rocket to launch the cargo Dragon spacecraft to send important supply missions to the International Space Station. The most recent docking took place on March 4 this year, delivering food, supplies and experimental equipment to the crew members of the Expedition 70/71 mission.

Other spacecraft can deliver cargo to the ISS, including Northrop Grumman's Cygnus and Russia's Progress spacecraft. Roscosmos has announced that the next Progress launch is scheduled for August 15.

In addition to the mission to the International Space Station, SpaceX also plans to carry out a commercial manned space mission this month using the Crew Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket. This mission, called Polaris Dawn, is funded by billionaire Jared Isaacman and plans to conduct the first commercial spacewalk in high orbit above the Earth. Isaacman had previously traveled into space on a Crew Dragon spacecraft in 2021 to experience space travel on the Inspiration 4 mission he funded.

"The Falcon 9 has an incredible track record of success. I can say from personal experience that when problems arise, they never hide," Isaacman posted on the social media platform X. "I am confident they will quickly identify the cause and ensure that this cost-effective and reliable launch vehicle continues to deliver payloads to orbit. As for the Polaris Dawn mission, we will fly when SpaceX is ready and have full confidence in the rocket, spacecraft and its operations." (Chenchen)