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SpaceX Moves Past Explosion With New Launch Plans (cnn.com)

Posted by msmash on from the getting-back-to-shape dept.

SpaceX plans to resume launching rockets as soon as next week, after completing an investigation into a spectacular launch pad explosion that destroyed a rocket and a satellite in September. From a report on CNN: The news comes following an in-depth investigation into the explosion of a rocket from SpaceX's September mission. The company said in a statement Monday the botched launch was due to a failed pressure vessel in a liquid oxygen tank. The vessel buckled, causing liquid oxygen to accumulate. It believes this led to friction, sparks and the explosion. SpaceX conducted the investigation along with officials from NASA, the Federal Aviation Authority, the U.S. Air Force and the National Transportation Safety Board. The Federal Aviation Administration will have to sign off on the report and issue SpaceX a license to launch. SpaceX appears optimistic it will be launching rockets again soon.

3 of 75 comments (clear)

  1. Good for SpaceX by mykepredko · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I know I come across as somebody who knocks Mr. Musk, but we need more entrepreneurs like him pushing the barriers.

    --
    Mimetics Inc. Twitter
    1. Re:Good for SpaceX by Ol+Olsoc · · Score: 1, Interesting

      What does NASA use Russian engines in, other than ULA rockets?

      "Parts is parts" is a way of saying "you should only think about economics and technology, and not any of the secondary effects." This often leads to disaster.

      I bet there are some industries that the North Koreans are really good at. We have a reason, however, for not giving them lots of dollars to spend on anything they want. The Russians are no different.

      Well, tell me why the Russian Engines are not good for use, instead of just telling me I am wrong, because reasons.

      --
      The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
  2. Re:Would be nice... by Bruce+Perens · · Score: 4, Interesting

    We probably have ITAR to blame for not being able to read the full report. You can make all the FOIAs you want, ITAR is always going to be the excuse because all of the details of using a COPV successfully in a rocket is for the moment a trade-secret of a US company which the country doesn't want to hand over to North Korea, etc.

    Besides it being their rocket company, they are making every effort to optimize delta-V over weight when nobody else in their market is trying. Otherwise, they would be using metal tanks and not attempting a high-risk technology like densification. You're going to blow up a few rockets if you take those risks.

    --
    Bruce Perens.