SpaceX Recovers from Anomaly, Resumes Rapid Launch Cadence
SpaceX swiftly resumed Falcon 9 launches on Saturday, February 7, 2026, following a brief pause triggered by an anomaly during the Starlink 17-32 mission earlier in the week. The successful launch of the Starlink 17-33 mission demonstrates the company’s ability to quickly address and resolve technical issues, maintaining its ambitious launch schedule.
The February 2nd Anomaly and FAA Investigation
The February 2nd incident involved an “off-nominal condition” during preparation for the deorbit burn of the Starlink 17-32 mission’s second stage. SpaceX confirmed that all 25 Starlink satellites were successfully deployed before the issue arose. The company identified a gas bubble in a transfer tube as the cause of a failed ignition. Following a SpaceX-led investigation, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) cleared the company for resumed launches on February 6th.
SpaceX emphasized the importance of passivating upper stages, noting that 16 stages were passivated in 2024 and 2025, with six subsequently re-entering Earth’s atmosphere. The company is actively developing methods to perform deorbit burns on missions that wouldn’t typically have the capability, such as those headed to Geostationary Transfer Orbit.
Starlink 17-33 Mission Details
The February 7th launch utilized Falcon 9 booster B1088, marking its 13th flight. The booster successfully landed on the drone ship ‘Of Course I Still Love You’ in the Pacific Ocean, representing the 176th landing on that vessel and the 568th booster landing overall for SpaceX. The mission deployed 25 additional Starlink satellites, bringing the total number of satellites in orbit to over 9,600, according to orbital tracker Jonathan McDowell.
Return to Flight and Upcoming Missions
SpaceX’s quick return to flight highlights its commitment to a high launch cadence. The company is preparing for the launch of the Crew-12 mission to the International Space Station, currently scheduled for February 11th. The Starlink 6-103 mission, initially delayed due to the February 2nd anomaly, is similarly being prepared for launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
The Importance of Rapid Iteration
SpaceX’s ability to quickly identify and address issues, coupled with its high launch frequency, allows for unprecedented data collection and rapid innovation. As the company stated on Twitter, safety and reliability are core to its operations, and frequent launches enable faster learning and improvement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the anomaly on the Starlink 17-32 mission?
A gas bubble in a transfer tube caused a failed ignition during preparation for the deorbit burn of the second stage.
How quickly did SpaceX resume launches after the anomaly?
SpaceX resumed launches less than a week after the anomaly, launching the Starlink 17-33 mission on February 7, 2026.
What is SpaceX doing to improve the passivation of upper stages?
SpaceX is developing methods to perform deorbit burns on missions that wouldn’t normally have the capability, enhancing the safety and sustainability of its operations.
Did you understand? SpaceX’s booster B1088 has now flown 13 times, demonstrating the reusability and cost-effectiveness of Falcon 9 rockets.
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