**SpaceX Falcon 9 Cleared to Launch ESA's Hera Mission After FAA Review**

SpaceX’s reliable Falcon 9 rocket has been sanctioned by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to proceed with its planned mission on Monday, launching the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Hera spacecraft. This decision was announced by the FAA on Sunday, setting the lift-off for 10:52 a.m. ET from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

The FAA confirmed that the Falcon 9 would be allowed to return to flight exclusively for the Hera mission scheduled for October 7. This authorization comes after the FAA evaluated that the absence of a second-stage reentry for this specific mission significantly reduces the main risk to public safety, particularly in light of a previous malfunction experienced during the Crew-9 mission.

On September 30, the FAA had mandated SpaceX to scrutinize an anomaly that caused the Falcon 9’s second stage to malfunction post-launch of a NASA astronaut mission. This malfunction resulted in the booster landing outside the pre-approved safety zone in the Pacific Ocean, leading to a temporary suspension of Falcon 9 flights for the third time in three months.

Hera's mission objective is to investigate the outcome of the 2022 collision between NASA's DART spacecraft and the asteroid Dimorphos, marking a significant milestone in planetary defense systems. This collision was the first instance of a spacecraft successfully altering the trajectory of a celestial body. Hera will provide crucial data to aid future asteroid deflection missions, focusing on redirecting potential Earth-threatening objects.

Falcon 9 was also responsible for the successful 2021 launch of the DART mission. Meanwhile, SpaceX faced additional scrutiny from the FAA, including a proposed fine of $633,000 announced on September 17, citing violations in preparation for two Falcon 9 launches in 2023. FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker remarked on September 24 that SpaceX, after 20 years in operation, should uphold the highest safety standards.

In response to Whitaker’s comments, SpaceX defended its safety record, proclaiming itself as the safest and most reliable launch provider globally, committed to operational safety. Despite this, Whitaker supported the FAA’s decision to delay the Starship 5 launch, initially aimed for September, due to SpaceX’s incomplete sonic boom analysis. The license determination for that launch is not expected until late November.

Further tension between SpaceX and the FAA includes a $175,000 penalty proposed in February 2023 for SpaceX’s failure to submit necessary safety data before an August 2022 Starlink satellite launch, a penalty which SpaceX has since paid. Elon Musk, SpaceX CEO, has publicly criticized the FAA’s fines and called for Whitaker’s resignation.