SpaceX Pauses Falcon 9 Flights After Second Stage Anomaly

Starlink 17-32 mission experienced issue with deorbit burn, leading to uncertainty around upcoming launch schedule.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 8:31am

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SpaceX experienced an anomaly with the second stage of its Falcon 9 rocket during the launch of Starlink 17-32 from Vandenberg Space Force Base. While the payload of 25 Starlink satellites was successfully deployed, the second stage was unable to complete a deorbit burn, leading the company to pause Falcon 9 flights as it investigates the issue. This has created uncertainty around the timing of several upcoming Falcon 9 missions from Cape Canaveral, including the planned Crew-12 flight to the International Space Station.

Why it matters

SpaceX's Falcon 9 is a critical launch vehicle for both commercial and government payloads, including Starlink internet satellites and NASA astronaut missions to the ISS. Any disruption to the Falcon 9 flight schedule could impact the timely deployment of new Starlink satellites as well as crew rotation flights to the space station.

The details

During the Starlink 17-32 launch, the second stage experienced an "off-nominal condition" that prevented it from performing the deorbit burn. However, the 25 Starlink satellites were successfully deployed to their intended orbit. SpaceX says the second stage then "performed as designed to successfully passivate the stage", meaning it vented propellant to lower its orbit and ensure a safe reentry. The company is now reviewing data to determine the root cause and corrective actions before resuming Falcon 9 flights.

  • On February 2, 2026, SpaceX launched the Starlink 17-32 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base.
  • The second stage of the Falcon 9 rocket was unable to complete a deorbit burn after deploying the Starlink satellites.

The players

SpaceX

An American aerospace manufacturer and space transportation services company founded by Elon Musk.

Dr. Jonathan McDowell

A spaceflight expert who noted the Starlink 17-32 second stage would reenter the atmosphere quickly without a deorbit burn.

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What they’re saying

“During today's Falcon 9 launch of Starlink satellites, the second stage experienced an off-nominal condition during preparation for the deorbit burn. The vehicle then performed as designed to successfully passivate the stage. The first two MVac burns were nominal and safely deployed all 25 Starlink satellites to their intended orbit. Teams are reviewing data to determine root cause and corrective actions before returning to flight.”

— SpaceX

“[The US] Space Force has cataloged the errant Starlink 17-32 Falcon 9 upper stage as object 67673 [and it is] in a 110 x 241 km x 97.3 deg orbit. It will reenter quickly.”

— Dr. Jonathan McDowell, Spaceflight expert

What’s next

SpaceX says it is reviewing data to determine the root cause of the second stage anomaly and corrective actions before returning the Falcon 9 to flight. This could impact the planned launch dates for several upcoming missions from Cape Canaveral, including the Crew-12 flight to the International Space Station.

The takeaway

The Starlink 17-32 mission anomaly highlights the importance of SpaceX's second stage deorbit burns for the safe disposal of rocket components, and the potential ripple effects a Falcon 9 issue can have on the company's broader launch schedule and commitments to both commercial and government customers.