Spacecraft Exploded During Pre-Flight Tests September 1

SpaceX founder Elon Musk said recently that sabotage has been ruled out in the loss of a Falcon 9 booster and its satellite payload, the result of a launch pad explosion September 1.

Space News reports that Musk's comments reportedly came during a presentation to National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) employees October 13. He said that the "leading theory" is the possible "formation of solid oxygen in the carbon over-wrap of one of the [helium] bottles in the upper stage tanks,” according to an excerpt of Musk’s remarks. “If it was liquid, it would have been squeezed out. But under pressure it could have ignited with the carbon." He said that the theory is still subject to confirmation.

In a statement, a SpaceX spokesman said the company would not comment on "private conversations Elon has had."

SpaceX has also determined that the failure is not attributable to the same kind of strut failure which destroyed a Falcon 9 rocket and its ISS-bound cargo in June of last year.

However, Musk reportedly said that there is a "long list" of company adversaries who might try to sabotage future missions. He did not elaborate on that comment, according to the report.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.spacex.com