Posted on 11/08/2017 2:24:17 PM PST by BenLurkin
The explosion occurred during a "qualification test" of a Merlin engine, the type that powers SpaceX's workhorse Falcon 9 rocket, the Post reported. (The two-stage Falcon 9 has nine Merlins in its first stage and one in its upper stage.)
SpaceX has suspended engine testing while it investigates what caused the incident, which didn't injure anyone, the Post added. In a statement provided to the Post, SpaceX representatives said they didn't expect the explosion to affect the company's launch schedule.
SpaceX has experience investigating accidents. In September 2016, a Falcon 9 exploded on the launch pad during a routine preflight test, destroying the rocket and its payload, the Amos-6 communications satellite. The company traced the problem to a design flaw in one of the helium canisters inside the rocket's second-stage liquid-oxygen tank.
In June 2015, a Falcon 9 broke apart less than 3 minutes after liftoff, scuttling an uncrewed cargo run to the International Space Station by SpaceX's Dragon capsule. That accident was caused by the failure of a single steel strut inside the second stage, the company determined.
(Excerpt) Read more at space.com ...
Helium? Really? Explosive Helium
That must be some new kind of helium....
I guess it failed the test..................
Poor Saint Elon. Space X going the way of the Tesla 3....
Sunday’s explosion, which was first reported by The Washington Post, occurred before the engine was lit, a source told Ars. It happened during a procedure known as LOX drop, in which liquid oxygen is added to the engine to determine if there are any leaks. At that point, something caused the fluids within the rocket engine to ignite. Testing of the Block 5 Merlin engine will be suspended until the cause of that ignition is found and fixed.
https://arstechnica.com/science/2017/11/an-experimental-spacex-rocket-engine-has-exploded-in-texas/
I still like Musk. He wants to be on Mars during my lifetime. He isn’t content to schedule a landing for 40 years from now, like NASA.
rocket science: just keep blowing up rockets until one finally flyies ...
Amen, bro!
The key thing here is that the helium canister was inside the LH2 tank. It was apparently the initial even in the chain that led to the explosion of the vehicle. The canister could have exploded due to over pressurization, or a flaw in the material of its shell. The helium itself does not have to be explosive to cause such an event.
“ocket science: just keep blowing up rockets until one finally flyies ...”
Fake it until you make it!
> Helium? Really? Explosive Helium
If I recall correctly the helium tanks contain helium gas under extremely high pressure. The gas is then released to maintain constant pressure during the burn. The weld securing the bracket holding the helium tank to the interior wall of the 2nd stage broke and the helium cylinder took off like a rocket and punched a hole in the 2nd stage, compromising it’s structural integrity. The ignition of it’s contents followed immediately thereafter.
Maybe a misplaced drop of oil or dab of grease somewhere.
Helium is used to pressurize the LO2 (liquid Oxygen) tank
Helium bottle broke lose and caused overpressure
“If we knew what we were doing, it wouldn’t be called ‘Research’.”
??Albert Einstein??
Perhaps there is a better choice of words.
Leak test involving LOX flow to a prototype 5 series engine. Oxygen reacted with something in the engine, as no fuel was involved in the test. Contaminant?
Problem also could be a combustible material in the piping connecting the engine into the test stand.
“He isn’t content to schedule a landing for 40 years from now, like NASA.”
And that’s the “persistent 40 years”.
As a boy, NASA was going to have me on Mars in 40 years...40 years ago.
I have read, many years ago, before the internet, that LOX that comes into contact with a drop of grease, oil or any petroleum based hydrocarbon will immediately explode.......................
Oh, the humanity!
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