SpaceX thinks it knows what went wrong aboard Crew Dragon
Source: CNN
SpaceX thinks it knows what went wrong aboard Crew Dragon
By Ahiza Garcia, CNN Business
Updated 2240 GMT (0640 HKT) July 15, 2019
San Francisco (CNN Business) — SpaceX revealed what it believes destroyed its Crew Dragon spacecraft in April.
In a release published Monday, SpaceX said evidence shows a leaking component likely led to structural failure. That was enough to cause ignition of a valve and "led to an explosion."
The issue was related to the firing of Crew Dragon's SuperDraco engines, which power the spacecraft's emergency escape system.
During a series of tests on April 20, thick plumes of smoke rose over a SpaceX facility in Cape Canaveral. NASA and SpaceX began facing questions after what appeared to be footage of the test leaked online, showing the spacecraft erupting in flames.
The company eventually confirmed the capsule, which is built to carry humans, was destroyed. No injuries were reported.
SpaceX, which was founded by Elon Musk in 2002, convened a team to investigate the incident with officials from NASA, as well as representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board.
-snip-
Read more: https://edition.cnn.com/2019/07/15/tech/spacex-crew-dragon-destroyed-cause/index.html
______________________________________________________________________
Related: UPDATE: IN-FLIGHT ABORT STATIC FIRE TEST ANOMALY INVESTIGATION (SpaceX)
