SpaceX Attributes Falcon 9 Debris Crash Over Europe to Propellant Leak

VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, California — February 26, 2025 — SpaceX has identified a propellant leak as the culprit behind the uncontrolled reentry of a Falcon 9 rocket’s upper stage, which resulted in a dramatic fireball lighting up European skies and debris crashing into Poland last week. The incident, stemming from a February 1 launch, has drawn attention to the challenges of managing space hardware as the company continues its rapid pace of missions.

The Falcon 9 in question blasted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, successfully deploying 22 Starlink satellites into orbit as part of the Group 11-4 mission. Typically, after delivering its payload, the rocket’s upper stage performs a controlled deorbit burn to guide it safely into an unpopulated region of the ocean. This time, however, that didn’t happen. On February 19, the stage reentered Earth’s atmosphere uncontrollably, creating a blazing spectacle visible from the United Kingdom to Poland and scattering debris across western Poland.

In a statement released today, SpaceX explained what went wrong. “During the coast phase of this Starlink mission, a small liquid oxygen leak developed, which ultimately drove higher-than-expected vehicle body rates,” the company said. This leak disrupted the upper stage’s stability, preventing the planned deorbit burn. Instead, SpaceX passivated the stage—shutting it down and removing stored energy sources—to minimize risks as it lingered in orbit until atmospheric drag pulled it back to Earth.

The fallout was literal: large fragments, including a composite pressure vessel, landed near Poznań, Poland, with one piece crashing into a warehouse lawn and another found in a nearby forest. No injuries were reported, and SpaceX emphasized that the debris contains no toxic materials. “SpaceX is working closely with the government of Poland on recovery and cleanup efforts,” the company added, urging anyone spotting debris to contact local authorities or its dedicated hotline rather than handling it directly.

This isn’t the first hiccup for Falcon 9’s upper stage in recent months. Last July, a similar leak during a Starlink launch caused satellites to be deployed into a lower-than-intended orbit, leading to their rapid demise. In September, the Crew-9 mission to the International Space Station saw another off-nominal deorbit, with the stage splashing down outside its designated Pacific Ocean zone. These incidents have raised eyebrows, though SpaceX maintains that such anomalies are rare, noting that 115 of 116 Falcon 9 missions last year achieved controlled reentries.

The Polish Space Agency (POLSA), which tracked the reentry, confirmed the debris originated from the February 1 launch. Local farmer Marek Fagasik discovered wreckage in his field, while Adam Borucki found a charred piece on his property, prompting a swift response from Polish authorities. A farmer affected by a crater in his field has hinted at seeking compensation, though SpaceX has not commented on potential claims.

SpaceX says it’s already implementing fixes. “The teams are actively assessing the root cause of the leak and have introduced mitigations for future flights,” the company stated, though specifics remain under wraps as the investigation continues. The Federal Aviation Administration, which oversees U.S. commercial launches, has not yet indicated whether this incident will delay upcoming Falcon 9 missions, including a Starship test flight targeted for February 28.

The event underscores the growing pains of a bustling space industry. Falcon 9, a reusable rocket that’s become the backbone of SpaceX’s operations, has logged over 390 successful landings of its first stage since 2010. Yet the expendable upper stage, designed to burn up or land in remote areas, occasionally defies expectations. As SpaceX pushes the boundaries of frequent, cost-effective launches, such mishaps highlight the delicate balance between innovation and reliability.

For now, the skies over Europe have quieted, but the incident leaves lingering questions about managing the debris of humanity’s cosmic ambitions. As cleanup efforts proceed in Poland, SpaceX is keen to turn the page, focusing on lessons learned to keep its rockets—and the skies—on course.