SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket explodes, takes Facebook satellite with it

[video=youtube_share;_BgJEXQkjNQ]https://youtu.be/_BgJEXQkjNQ[/video]
 
Space X paying its school fees.

Started to get the impression that Space X was becoming a bit gung-ho after their run of successes of late.
 
daniellgr said:
Space X paying its school fees.

Started to get the impression that Space X was becoming a bit gung-ho after their run of successes of late.
Click to expand...

It seems like it was an issue with the launch pad more than the vehicle. My understanding is that the pad is a lease from NASA, so not sure if truly spaceX's fault?
 
Kosmik said:
It seems like it was an issue with the launch pad more than the vehicle. My understanding is that the pad is a lease from NASA, so not sure if truly spaceX's fault?
Click to expand...

I do not know exactly how it works with Space X, but with other launch service providers the basic are:

(1) the payload is the responsibility of the manufacturer of the payload up to the point where it is placed on top for the launch vehicle.
(2) the launch services provider (Space -X) is responsible for the launch vehicle and its payload on the launch pad and in space up to the point where the payload separates from the launch vehicle.
(3) NASA only provide for the launch pad, as far as I know everything else including the equipment and process to fuel the rocket are the responsibility of Space-X
(4) Once the payload separates in space, the owner of the satellite (AMOS) becomes responsible.

The customer (Facebook) is not directly responsible for any of the above normally.

I should have added, each party is responsible for their own insurance arrangements.
 
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Kosmik said:
It seems like it was an issue with the launch pad more than the vehicle. My understanding is that the pad is a lease from NASA, so not sure if truly spaceX's fault?
Click to expand...

Incorrect. At this time it appears to be an issue with the upper stage's LOX tank - either the loading of propellant into said tank went awry, or the tank failed during the load. Either way the responsibility would appear to lie with SpaceX.

The loss of the SpaceX CRS-7 mission in June 2015 was also due to a failure of the upper stage LOX tank in that rocket. However SpaceX apparently performed significant redesign of the tank after that failure, so it would be premature to assume the two incidents are linked at this time.
 
The_Assimilator said:
Incorrect. At this time it appears to be an issue with the upper stage's LOX tank - either the loading of propellant into said tank went awry, or the tank failed during the load. Either way the responsibility would appear to lie with SpaceX.

The loss of the SpaceX CRS-7 mission in June 2015 was also due to a failure of the upper stage LOX tank in that rocket. However SpaceX apparently performed significant redesign of the tank after that failure, so it would be premature to assume the two incidents are linked at this time.
Click to expand...

Hmmm I read somewhere that it was due to an issue in the feed to the rocket, which is why I questioned the pad vs rocket area of responsibility. can't find it now :(
 
LOX is fairly nasty stuff, but cannot burn on its own, so it is hard to imagine how a leak from this source would cause such an explosion. A more likely scenario is that some fuel leak ended up being mixed with LOX, triggering secondary failures of both tanks.

The failure of SpaceX CRS-7 produced a plume of oxygen vapour, but no immediate explosion.
 
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