{"id":161238,"date":"2026-02-03T02:25:11","date_gmt":"2026-02-03T02:25:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/161238\/"},"modified":"2026-02-03T02:25:11","modified_gmt":"2026-02-03T02:25:11","slug":"spacex-experiences-upper-stage-mishap-during-california-starlink-launch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/161238\/","title":{"rendered":"SpaceX experiences upper stage mishap during California Starlink launch"},"content":{"rendered":"

Upcoming SpaceX launches suddenly are up in the air after SpaceX reported an investigation into a mishap during a Monday Starlink launch<\/a> in California.<\/p>\n

A SpaceX Falcon 9 launched at 7:47 a.m. PT (10:47 a.m. ET) from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. While successfully carrying 25 Starlink internet satellites to orbit, the rocket’s upper stage experienced a malfunction<\/a> as it prepared for a deorbit burn.<\/p>\n

“During today\u2019s Falcon 9 launch of @Starlink<\/a> satellites, the second stage experienced an off-nominal condition during preparation for the deorbit burn,” SpaceX said in a statement on X.. “The vehicle then performed as designed to successfully passivate the stage. The first two MVac burns were nominal and safely deployed all 25 @Starlink<\/a> satellites to their intended orbit. Teams are reviewing data to determine root cause and corrective actions before returning to flight.”<\/p>\n

As of now, it remains to be seen what impact this will have on Falcon 9 launches from Cape Canaveral.<\/a> The next launch was currently set for no earlier than 4:20 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5 from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. That mission is also a Starlink mission.<\/p>\n

When is the next Florida rocket launch? Is there a launch today? Upcoming NASA, SpaceX, ULA launch schedule in Florida<\/a><\/p>\n

Also on tap is a NASA Crew-12 launch on a Falcon 9 set for no earlier than Feb. 11. It remains to be seen if this investigation into the upper stage malfunction will cause a delay. With NASA’s Crew-11 having returned early due to an ill crew member, only one NASA astronaut currently remains among the crew onboard the ISS.<\/p>\n

Brooke Edwards is a Space Reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at bedwards@floridatoday.com<\/a> or on X: @brookeofstars<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: SpaceX launch in California experiences upper stage malfunction<\/a><\/p>\n