SpaceX explosion on pad

[tynopik]

http://money.cnn.com/2016/09/01/news/companies/spacex-explosion/index.html

A SpaceX rocket exploded at its Cape Canaveral launch pad Thursday morning during a test firing, destroying the rocket and the satellite it was due to launch on Saturday.

 

[Number1]

I wonder if they were trying to reuse one of their boosters?

 

[tynopik]

maybe?

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-...s-scene-of-large-explosion-days-before-launch

Smoke was seen billowing from the pad where the AMOS-6 satellite was to be launched Saturday morning, in a mission that relied on a reused rocket.

i do wonder if in the future they'll leave the payload off for these test fires (or if that's even possible?)

 

[drum]

maybe?

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-...s-scene-of-large-explosion-days-before-launch



i do wonder if in the future they'll leave the payload off for these test fires (or if that's even possible?)

So the actual launch was to be tomorrow... unfortunate

 

[Paratus]

A couple of things.

http://arstechnica.com/science/2016...rently-blew-up-during-a-test-firing-thursday/

• The failure occurred a few minutes before the test firing and looks like it maybe ground equipment instead of the booster
• This was a new booster and not a refurb.
• The launch was scheduled for Saturday
• They'll have to assess and repair damage to the pad which will likely delay upcoming flights.

 

[BoomerD]

I consider this a win for the world...

An explosion erupted during a SpaceX fueling operation at its launch site in Florida around 9:07 a.m. Eastern Time this morning, destroying a satellite that Facebook had intended to use....

 

[Ns1]

Musk: I don't always test my rockets in production, but when I do, I do it with client payloads on board.

 

[Thebobo]

Watching the video looks like some sort of implosion on the upper stage at one of the eblicals attachment points right before the fireball engulfs the ship.

Hopefully they have some super slow mo of the explosion.

 

[Linux23]

Oh well. Time to switch to the backup rocket and payload.

 

[cbrunny]

The satellite was supposed to provide free internet to Sub-Saharan Africa or something like that.

 

[JulesMaximus]

The satellite was supposed to provide free internet to Sub-Saharan Africa or something like that.

Where's the profit in that?

 

[Puffnstuff]

Here's the video of the aftermath. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSPgz4CLUtE

 

[KB]

Launching rockets is difficult business. One small glitch and kaplooie.

On a lighter note, nothing was actually destroyed since Musk believes life is all just a simulation.

http://www.theverge.com/2016/6/2/11837874/elon-musk-says-odds-living-in-simulation

 

[Sabrewings]

Musk: I don't always test my rockets in production, but when I do, I do it with client payloads on board.

It wasn't always this way, but SpaceX opted to change policy to slim down the time for each launch. A payload for a static fire is always with the consent of the customer.

Watching the video looks like some sort of implosion on the upper stage at one of the eblicals attachment points right before the fireball engulfs the ship.

Hopefully the have some super slow mo of the explosion.

Early analysis makes it look like it come from outside the booster itself:

https://twitter.com/romn8tr/status/771418364581384197

 

[NoTine42]

Where's the profit in that?

FarmVille?

 

[cbrunny]

Where's the profit in that?

A completely brand new market to advertise to.

 

[Sabrewings]

If anyone is interested in watching a LOT of energy released very quickly:

https://youtu.be/_BgJEXQkjNQ

 

[PottedMeat]

If anyone is interested in watching a LOT of energy released very quickly:

https://youtu.be/_BgJEXQkjNQ

hey the payload made it back home

SpaceX explosion didnt involve intentional ignition - E Musk said occurred during 2d stage fueling - & isn't covered by launch insurance.

— Peter B. de Selding (@pbdes) September 1, 2016[/QUOTE]

uh oh not covered

 

[cbrunny]

hey the payload made it back home

uh oh not covered

That's why you don't trust a Gecko with your launch insurance.

 

[tynopik]

If anyone is interested in watching a LOT of energy released very quickly:

https://youtu.be/_BgJEXQkjNQ

Rocket fuel can't melt steel beams

 

[Ns1]

Any guesstimates as to $$$'s lost on those 5 seconds?

 

[PottedMeat]

Any guesstimates as to $$$'s lost on those 5 seconds?

Peter B. de Selding ‏@pbdes
Spacecom insured Amos-6 for $285M in marine cargo market, not space insurance market. Launch +1 yr policy would kick in at rocket ignition.

 

[Sabrewings]

hey the payload made it back home

uh oh not covered

That Tweet is misleading. No, it wasn't covered by launch insurance but it was still insured as maritime cargo. The maritime insurance lasts until launch ignition, at which point it becomes the responsibility of the launch policy.

Any guesstimates as to $$$'s lost on those 5 seconds?

Launcher plus payload is around $285 million. Add damage to the pad and easily over $300 million.

 

[PottedMeat]

Launcher plus payload is around $285 million. Add damage to the pad and easily over $300 million.

that's their only cape canaveral launch pad right? damage is probably much worse than orbital's antares explosion just after launch

 

[zinfamous]

So the actual launch was to be tomorrow... unfortunate

Hate to break it to you, but it's still Thursday. Don't start drinking tonight, bro.