Image credit: The Byteline

A previously unreported power outage at SpaceX’s California facility temporarily disrupted mission control operations during a September mission that included the first private spacewalk, according to sources cited by Reuters.

The incident raises concerns about safety protocols and transparency within private space ventures, especially as key figures in the sector, including Elon Musk and Jared Isaacman, prepare for influential roles in the incoming Trump administration.

The outage occurred during the Polaris Dawn mission, a five-day private spaceflight led by Jared Isaacman, a billionaire entrepreneur and close associate of Musk.

The Dragon spacecraft, carrying Isaacman and three other private astronauts, lost ground control for over an hour due to a power surge triggered by a cooling system leak at SpaceX’s Hawthorne, California, facility. Despite the disruption, the spacecraft remained safe, maintaining limited communication with Earth via SpaceX’s Starlink satellite network.

The power failure, which hindered operators' ability to command the spacecraft or initiate back-up systems, underscores the critical role of ground control in responding to emergencies.

“Not having command and control is a big deal,” a source told Reuters. SpaceX’s inability to immediately transfer mission control to its Florida backup facility was further exacerbated by a lack of paper backups for emergency procedures.

The outage occurred shortly before the Sept. 12 spacewalk, conducted by Isaacman and his crew.

While the astronauts were trained to operate the spacecraft independently if necessary, the incident has raised broader questions about the reliability and oversight of private space missions.

It remains unclear whether SpaceX reported the outage to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), though sources indicated NASA was informed, given the spacecraft’s planned use in a subsequent NASA mission.

The situation also highlights potential conflicts of interest as Isaacman, nominated to lead NASA by President-elect Trump, faces Senate confirmation. Isaacman’s extensive business ties to SpaceX, including funding private missions and holding shares through his company Shift4 Payments, could influence NASA’s dealings with the private space sector.

Isaacman has pledged to step down as Shift4 CEO if confirmed, though he intends to retain his stock holdings, subject to ethics requirements.

As SpaceX navigates questions of transparency and regulatory compliance, the incident sheds light on the challenges of balancing innovation with accountability in the rapidly evolving private space industry.

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