US FAA approves SpaceX Falcon 9 return to flight after mishap probe
ASHINGTON (Reuters) -The
U.S. Federal Aviation Administration said on Friday it had approved the return to flight of the SpaceX
Falcon 9 vehicle after it reviewed and accepted the SpaceX-led investigation findings and corrective
actions for the mishap that occurred Sept. 28.
The FAA on Sept. 30 said SpaceX had to
investigate why the second stage of its Falcon 9 malfunctioned after a NASA astronaut mission, grounding
the launch vehicle for the third time in three months.
The malfunction caused the booster to
fall into a region of the Pacific Ocean outside of the designated safety zone the FAA approved.