Persistent Cracking Of Vital Propulsion-System Components Noted

A draft report prepared by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) raises safety concerns about rocket boosters built by SpaceX, noting persistent cracking in some vital components of propulsion systems.

The Wall Street Journal reports that, according to sources familiar with the draft report, the GAO found consistent issues with cracks in turbine blades that supply fuel to rocket engines on Falcon 9 boosters, potentially a major safety concern. NASA has warned SpaceX that the cracking is an unacceptable risk for manned spaceflights.

A SpaceX spokesperson told the paper that the company is "modifying the design" to avoid such cracks entirely "in partnership with NASA to qualify engines for manned spaceflight."

NASA has been briefed on the GAO report, which is expected to be publicly released in the coming weeks. Acting NASA administrator Robert Lightfoot said that the agency is in discussions with SpaceX about the turbo machinery. He said a potential fix has been identified, but did not know whether that solution would mean a time-consuming switch to larger turbopumps.

But problems with SpaceX's turbopumps are not the only issue examined by the GAO report. It will also examine unrelated issues that could possibly delay the first manned flights by both SpaceX and Boeing, and says that both companies are unlikely to begin manned flights to ISS as planned in 2018.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.gao.gov