SpaceX screenshot Unlike other rockets, Falcon typically uses recycled components including the first-stage booster, or lower two-thirds and most complex segment of the vehicle. The first-stage booster returns to a droneship or Vandenberg once completing its chores so it can be used again. The firm also recovers the two halves of the payload fairing, or nose cone, for reuse. But each mission employs a new second-stage engine with a goal of disposing of the used component over the ocean in a controlled entry once payload delivery occurs. However, a glitch prevented the controlled re-entry for the Feb. 1 mission. SpaceX revealed a liquid oxygen leak during the planned coast phase interfered with the typical handling of the spent second-stage component. “SpaceX actively and propulsively deorbits its Falcon second stages for most missions, performing a controlled disposal into broad ocean areas,” SpaceX said in a written statement. Sign Up for the A.M. Report Keep up with Noozhawk's daily news coverage, delivered at 4:15 a.m. right to your inbox. Sign up This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. “The vehicle has an excellent track record of successfully doing so, including 115 successful deorbits of second stages out of 116 attempted in 2024.” Due to the leak, the planned deorbit burn was not performed and steps were taken to remove sources of stored energy on the component. “The teams are actively assessing root cause of the source of the leak and have already implemented mitigations for future flights,” SpaceX said. Last summer after a Vandenberg liftoff, a glitch involving a Space rocket’s second stage left the Starlink satellites in an unusable orbit, a rare mission outcome for the Falcon 9 vehicle. The firm also reported an “off-nominal deorbit burn” following a Florida launch in September. Following Saturday’s launch, the West Coast SpaceX crew will ready the next rocket as two NASA missions, SPHEREx and PUNCH, will share a ride into space, possibly as soon as Friday. SPHEREx — which stands for Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization, and Ices Explorer — will conduct the first large-scale survey of water ice and other key ingredients for life in the Milky Way galaxy, according to NASA. The two-year mission calls for mapping the entire sky as scientists seek signs of water, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and other key ingredients for life. A second payload, PUNCH (Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere) mission, boasts four satellites to study solar wind. NASA officials announced a one-day delay for the launch of the space telescope and sun missions to provide time to “ensure the vehicle’s readiness ahead of liftoff.” Departure now is planned for 7:09 p.m. Friday. Tagged: