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Engineers investigate another malfunction on SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket

SpaceX probably won't be grounded for long, but this could affect the launch of Europa Clipper.

SpaceX is investigating a problem with the Falcon 9 rocket's upper stage that caused it to reenter the atmosphere and fall into the sea outside of its intended disposal area after a Saturday launch with a two-man crew heading to the International Space Station. The engine was supposed to reignite later to steer the upper stage on a trajectory back into Earth's atmosphere for disposal over the South Pacific Ocean, ensuring the rocket doesn't remain in orbit as a piece of space junk. Safety warnings issued to mariners and pilots before the launch indicated the Falcon 9's upper stage was supposed to fall somewhere in a narrow band stretching from southwest to northeast in the South Pacific east of New Zealand.

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