FAA Clears SpaceX Falcon 9 for NASA Crew-12 Launch

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) officially cleared SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket to resume flight operations. This clearance paved the way for the high-stakes NASA Crew-12 mission, which is now targeting a launch on Friday, February 13, 2026.

The FAA’s review followed a brief four-day suspension after a “second-stage anomaly” occurred during a Starlink launch on February 2.

The Investigation: Second-Stage Anomaly

The grounding was triggered when a Falcon 9 upper stage failed to perform its final deorbit burn, an essential maneuver for ensuring the stage reenters the atmosphere over a safe, unpopulated area.

• The Cause: The FAA-overseen investigation identified a “gas bubble” in a propellant transfer tube. This bubble prevented the Merlin Vacuum engine from igniting for its final burn.

• The Resolution: The FAA accepted SpaceX’s “technical and organizational preventative measures” to resolve the issue. SpaceX confirmed that because the Crew-12 mission uses a different deorbit profile than Starlink missions, there is no increased risk to the astronauts.

• Return to Flight: SpaceX successfully validated the fix with a Starlink launch on February 7, providing the final “green light” for the crewed mission.

NASA Crew-12 Mission Details

This mission is particularly urgent due to a “skeleton crew” currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS) following the emergency medical evacuation of the Crew-11 team in January.

Strategic Importance

The Crew-12 mission marks the first time a crewed flight will launch from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral, a pad traditionally used for satellite launches but recently upgraded with a crew access arm to provide NASA with more flexibility during busy launch schedules.

“The Falcon 9 vehicle is authorized to return to flight. The FAA oversaw and accepted the findings of the SpaceX-led investigation.” — FAA Official Statement, February 6, 2026