Irene Klotz
February 03, 2026

falcon 9 launch

Credit: SpaceX

CAPE CANAVERAL—The upper stage of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket failed to execute a planned engine burn to deorbit after successfully deploying a batch of Starlink satellites launched from California, the company said late Feb. 2. “The second stage experienced an off-nominal condition during preparation…

Irene Klotz

Irene Klotz is Senior Space Editor for Aviation Week, based in Cape Canaveral. Before joining Aviation Week in 2017, Irene spent 25 years as a wire service reporter covering human and robotic spaceflight, commercial space, astronomy, science and technology for Reuters and United Press International.

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