Launch Approval and Mission Details
The has granted permission to proceed with the launch of the 's Hera mission, scheduled for October 7 from , marking a return to flight for the rocket solely for this mission.
Hera's mission aims to study the 2022 impact of 's DART spacecraft on the asteroid Dimorphos, part of a planetary defense test to assess humanity's ability to prevent potential Earth collisions with asteroids.
Impact of Falcon 9 Grounding
Following a mishap during the Crew-9 mission where the Falcon 9's second stage missed its deorbit target, the FAA grounded the rocket, affecting multiple planned launches until an investigation and report by SpaceX are reviewed and approved.
Despite the grounding, preparations for the Hera mission continued, with SpaceX and ESA aiming for a timely launch, while the Falcon 9 remains authorized for this mission only, highlighting the vehicle's critical role in SpaceX's launch portfolio.