SpaceX, a space travel and launch company, experienced upper-stage failure with its Falcon 9 rocket launch on July 11, 2024. This marked Falcon 9's second recent launch carrying 20 Starlink satellites aboard.

While the rocket's first two stages separated successfully, the 'Merlin Vacuum' engine of its upper stage carrying the 20 satellites experienced a liquid oxygen leak, resulting in it being unable to complete the required burn. The Starlink satellites were initially deployed at eccentric orbit with a very low perigee of 135 kilometers. SpaceX reported it was unable to raise the satellites and that all 20 satellites would return to Earth and be lost. The company also reported that an investigation would be undertaken collaboratively with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Analyst QuickTake: SpaceX has launched 69 Falcon 9 missions so far in 2024, 49 of which have been Starlink missions. The rocket recently launched with 20 Starlink satellites aboard in June 2024 from Vandenberg Space Force Base, and it was successful, with the satellites deployed to orbit. This Falcon 9 failure marks its second setback so far, with its first Falcon 9 failure being in June 2015 for the launch of the cargo capsule 'Dragon.'