Space X Falcon 9 rocket explodes

[Magical Realist]

Elon must be pissed!


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/spac...0d31ddcc8b

[Yazata]

Elon must be pissed!

Maybe Mark Zuckerberg even more. The rocket was due to launch a $100 million Israeli made Facebook satellite on Saturday. Apparently the satellite was intended to supply satellite internet service to the African continent.

Reportedly the explosion happened when SpaceX was loading fuel and oxidizer into the second stage.

http://m.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/ar...d=11702966

[Yazata]

A SpaceX/US Air Force/NASA/FAA accident investigation team reported on Sept 23 that indications are that the cryogenic helium system "breached" and caused the explosion. Apparently SpaceX uses the inert gas helium to pressurize the fuel and liquid oxygen tanks. It still isn't clear to me how the breach caused the lox to come in contact with the rocket fuel, causing the explosion, but if the "breach" was violent and explosive (like a pressure tank exploding as opposed to a leak) I suppose it could have.

http://spacenews.com/falcon-accident-inv...um-system/

[Yazata]

They say that the second-stage helium tank 'breach' was 'large', the fiery explosion occurred only 93 milliseconds after the computers first recorded an 'anomaly', and the helium tank that apparently explosively ruptured was pressurized to 5,500 psi. The helium is used to maintain pressure in the fuel and oxidizer tanks as they empty, to retain structural integrity of the vehicle. Apparently the inflated tanks are part of what make the vehicle rigid and keep it from crumpling under stress.

https://spaceflightnow.com/2016/09/23/fa...um-system/

[Yazata]

In a bizarre twist, sabotage isn't off the table as a cause for the SpaceX explosion.

Elon Musk has commented on the sound of a 'bang' recorded immediately before the explosion and videos appear to show something atop a nearby building belonging to the United Launch Alliance, the big SpaceX competitor.

SpaceX investigators weren't allowed to visit the roof when they asked to. Air Force investigators subsequently were allowed up there but didn't find anything.

Speculation seems to be that there might have been a sniper up there.

http://www.cnbc.com/2016/10/03/sabotage-...osion.html

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/...story.html

[C C]

[...] video that appeared to show an odd shadow, then a white spot on the roof of a nearby building leased by ULA [...] SpaceX and ULA are heated rivals that are competing over national security contracts that together are worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

Lone Gunman Theory conceptually morphs for a new era of cutthroat rivalry. The "joys" of the space race entering the private sector, with Cold War days of competition between governments a distant memory in the rear view mirror.