In a setback for SpaceX, a Falcon 9 rocket failed shortly after liftoff, marking the first mishap for the company in nearly a decade. The rocket, carrying 20 Starlink internet satellites, took off from California on Thursday night but experienced an upper stage engine malfunction. SpaceX attributed the failure to a liquid oxygen leak.

Following the malfunction, SpaceX's flight controllers were able to establish communication with half of the satellites. They attempted to boost them to a higher orbit using onboard ion thrusters as a workaround. However, due to the low end of their orbit being only 84 miles (135 kilometers) above Earth, significantly lower than intended, SpaceX expressed doubts that their available thrust would be sufficient to raise the satellites successfully.

As a result, the satellites are expected to reenter the Earth's atmosphere and burn up. The exact timing of their descent was not specified. Currently, more than 6,000 Starlink satellites are already providing internet services to customers in remote areas worldwide.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has mandated that the issue be resolved before Falcon rockets can resume flying. It remains uncertain how this incident will impact SpaceX's upcoming crew flights. Notably, a private spaceflight, organized by billionaire Jared Isaacman, is scheduled for July 31, featuring plans for the first private spacewalk. This will be followed by an astronaut flight to the International Space Station in mid-August, in collaboration with NASA.

Jared Isaacman expressed confidence in SpaceX's capabilities, mentioning the company's impressive track record and the presence of an emergency escape system on the Falcon 9 rocket. The last notable launch failure endured by SpaceX occurred in 2015 during a space station cargo run. The subsequent year witnessed another rocket explosion during ground testing.

Elon Musk, founder of SpaceX, emphasized that the company's high flight rate will facilitate the identification and resolution of the problem. Efforts to address the issue swiftly and prevent future mishaps are expected to be a priority for SpaceX.

In conclusion, SpaceX faces a setback as a Falcon 9 rocket carrying Starlink satellites failed due to an upper stage engine malfunction. The low orbit of the affected satellites, caused by a liquid oxygen leak, makes it unlikely that they can be successfully raised, leading to their eventual burning up in the Earth's atmosphere. The FAA has required the problem to be fixed before Falcon rockets can launch again, and the impact on future crew flights remains uncertain.