Following the loss of the Falcon 9 rocket on the launch pad last week, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said the investigation into the cause is proving to be one of the most challenging to date.
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The rocket exploded in a massive fireball that sent shockwaves for kilometres on Sept. 1 during a routing propellant fill operation. Shortly after the explosion, Musk tweeted that it began in the upper stage oxygen tank. The rocket was to deploy a satellite for Facebook that would have delivered internet service across Africa.
On Friday morning, Musk tweeted his concern about a bang heard shortly before the massive explosion.
He also addressed the fact that there was the possibility that something had hit the rocket moments before.
This is the second time in just over a year that SpaceX has lost a rocket. In June 2015, a Falcon 9 rocket exploded shortly after liftoff after a strut in the its upper stage liquid oxygen tank failed. This caused the helium tank to release too much helium into the upper-stage liquid oxygen tank which increased the pressure, causing it to explode.
There is speculation that SpaceX could be grounded for up to a year while it investigates the cause, which could be particularly problematic, as it is working on a capsule and rocket that will take American astronauts to the International Space Station. Boeing is also contracted for a crew capsule.
Though SpaceX has suffered a devastating loss with this explosion, it has successfully returned the first stage of its Falcon 9 rocket to Earth as part of its reusable rocket initiative, aimed at making space travel cheaper and therefore more accessible.
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