FAA Approves October 7 Falcon 9 Launch for ESA's Hera Mission Despite Previous Malfunction

Oct 7, 2024, 02:09 PM

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved the launch of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket for the European Space Agency's (ESA) Hera mission. This approval comes despite a recent malfunction in the second stage of the Falcon 9 during the Crew-9 mission. The Hera mission, scheduled for October 7, will not include a second stage reentry, which mitigates the primary risk identified in the Crew-9 mishap. The Falcon 9 rocket will be fully expendable, with both stages consuming all propellants to send the spacecraft into deep space. This will be the 23rd and final flight for the first stage of the Falcon 9. Weather conditions have been a concern due to Hurricane Milton, but recent updates indicate improving conditions, with a weather forecast now 60% favorable for launch. The launch team is proceeding with the countdown, aiming for a liftoff at 10:52 a.m. EDT. ESA project manager Ian Carnelli confirmed that all systems are go.