Posted on 09/01/2016 7:10:20 AM PDT by NonValueAdded
I guess the reused booster is going up with the SES-10, not the Facebook sat. Regardless, if this screws Facebook I won’t shed any tears. Sad for SpaceX though.
“I cannot help but feel this has everything to do with who the customer is.”
That was my first thought when I heard what the payload was.
New video shows the explosion started in the second stage during liquid oxygen filling. You can watch the payload topple over. Looks like the strongback was pretty strong.
The order of a very energetic explosion prior to any smoke/fire was odd, considering no hydrogen is employed as fuel. The oxygen had to mix with a substantial amount of something to cause a detonation as seen—if propellants actually are involved in the event. The tank of kerosene is at the base of each stage; and, possibly not pressurized at this point in the fueling procedure. Was the second stage even fueled for the test procedure?
The payload was an Israeli built satellite sharing part of it’s capacity with communications endeavors seeking to serve internet to parts of Africa (Sudan?). Does the origin of the satellite have any bearing upon today’s event???
I say many stupid things.
But that there was a fireball of rocket fuel burning directly on structural steel for a good ten minutes at least. What am I missing?
Raelians? ;-)
Rutan is still a few miles too low and 17500 MPH too slow to put anything into orbit.
less than 48 hours before actual launch? payload was attached I’m sure.
less than 48 hours before actual launch? payload was attached I’m sure.
...
SpaceX confirms it was, but sometimes the payload is attached after the static fire test. They can take the rocket down and erect it again fairly quickly.
In retrospect, with all the thunderstorms in the area associated with Hurricane Hermine, why did they run the test?
Beat me to it! Hats off to you.
You get a velocity boost from the axial rotation of the earth.
Mr Elon “Clean and Green” Musk. What a crock a s*** !
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