Author Topic: Pad Failure: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - Sept 3 2016 - UPDATES  (Read 156402 times)

Offline Chris Bergin

UPDATE ONLY Thread for Falcon 9 with Amos-6.

This opens with pre-launch preps and continues with the static fire failure - only with updates.


Static Fire September 1.
Launch was to be September 3 (3am to 5am Eastern).

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/08/spacex-falcon-9-preparation-jcsat-16-amos-6/ <--McGregor.
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/08/by-sea-land-space-spacex-hardware/ <--Pre Launch.
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/09/falcon-9-explodes-amos-6-static-fire/ <--Static Fire Failure.



---

Discussion Thread:
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=30981.0

Party Thread:
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=40089.msg1520968#msg1520968

ASDS Threads:
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?board=66.0

Resources:

SpaceX News Articles from 2006 (Including numerous exclusive Elon interviews):
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=21862.0

SpaceX News Articles (Recent):
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/tag/spacex/

=--=

SpaceX GENERAL Forum Section:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?board=45.0 - please use this for general questions NOT specific to this mission.

SpaceX MISSIONS Forum Section:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?board=55.0 - this section is for everything specific to SpaceX missions.

--

L2 Section for this mission:
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=40768.0

L2 SpaceX Section:
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?board=60.0
« Last Edit: 09/02/2016 04:49 pm by Chris Bergin »
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Offline Chris Bergin

Amos-6 S1 static fired at McGregor just now. Updating the article.

Video:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/spacexgroup/permalink/10154455530056318/
« Last Edit: 08/05/2016 11:29 pm by Chris Bergin »
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Offline Steven Pietrobon

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - NET Aug/Sept 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #2 on: 08/16/2016 05:58 am »
SpaceX showing AMOS 6 as their next launch on their manifest page.

http://www.spacex.com/missions
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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - NET Aug/Sept 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #3 on: 08/17/2016 12:11 pm »
Quote
Spacecom: Our Amos-6 telecom sat, w/ HTS payload for Eutelsat/Facebook, scheduled for launch by SpaceX Falcon 9 at 03h ET (07h GMT) Sept 3.

https://twitter.com/pbdes/status/765882346100891648

Offline Chris Bergin

Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - Sept 3 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #4 on: 08/17/2016 11:49 pm »
An article that mentions Amos-6 in the current busy SpaceXey period. Per L2, targeting the static fire for September 1.

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/08/by-sea-land-space-spacex-hardware/
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Offline Jakusb

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - Sept 3 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #5 on: 08/21/2016 02:41 pm »
Apparently Amos booster en route to cape.
https://www.facebook.com/jerry.m.west/videos/10208691238137123/

Offline tleski

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - Sept 3 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #6 on: 08/21/2016 08:15 pm »
Video file for people without a Facebook account. Originally posted by Jerry M West  on Facebook (see the link above).
« Last Edit: 08/21/2016 08:15 pm by tleski »

Offline Raul

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - Sept 3 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #7 on: 08/30/2016 01:31 am »
Quote
NAVAREA IV 712/2016 (11,26) 

WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
ROCKETS.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS 030655Z TO 030929Z SEP,
   ALTERNATE 040655Z TO 040929Z SEP
   IN AREAS BOUND BY:
   A. 28-34N 080-36W, 28-36N 080-36W,
      28-38N 080-35W, 28-34N 079-38W,
      28-29N 079-38W, 28-31N 080-33W.
   B. 28-21N 075-49W, 28-23N 074-27W,
      28-03N 072-00W, 27-55N 072-00W,
      28-02N 074-28W, 28-16N 075-49W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 041029Z SEP 16.

( 290608Z AUG 2016 )

F9-029 Amos-6 Launch Hazard Areas Map
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1H3pbysdIKjJE7htHeqgV0FqohUA

For previous flights, mark appropriate item on left side.

Offline daveglo

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - Sept 3 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #8 on: 08/30/2016 02:03 am »
Given the uncertainty of the Florida weather with tropical cyclones in the area, a longer range look at the forecast might be appropriate:

http://www.patrick.af.mil/Portals/14/documents/Weather/29AUG16.pdf?ver=2016-08-29-150046-950

tl:dr: Tropical cyclone crossing northern Florida Thursday Sep 1 through early Friday Sep 2.  Means cloudy, windy, lightning-y.
« Last Edit: 08/31/2016 01:43 pm by daveglo »

Offline jacqmans

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - Sept 3 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #9 on: 08/30/2016 07:57 am »
Jacques :-)

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - Sept 3 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #10 on: 08/30/2016 06:30 pm »
Initial weather forecast not great due to the tropical depression. Only 40% GO on 3rd, rising to 60% on delay date. Of course with a major storm the predicted track can vary somewhat so let's hope things improve.
« Last Edit: 08/30/2016 06:31 pm by FutureSpaceTourist »

Offline Ilikeboosterrockets

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - Sept 3 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #11 on: 08/30/2016 06:59 pm »
Link to hosted and technical webcast





« Last Edit: 08/31/2016 10:24 pm by Ilikeboosterrockets »

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - Sept 3 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #12 on: 08/31/2016 05:53 pm »
Here's an updated prediction of the TP9 track. Awaiting a new launch weather forecast to find out the implications.

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - Sept 3 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #13 on: 08/31/2016 07:57 pm »
August 31, 2016


MEDIA ADVISORY

RELEASE #083116

Showtime: 1 a.m. September 3

Launch Window Opens: 3 a.m. September 3

45th SW to support Falcon 9 AMOS-6 launch

By 45th Space Wing Public Affairs

CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla. - The U.S. Air Force’s 45th Space Wing will support the SpaceX Falcon 9 AMOS-6 launch September 3 from Launch Complex 40 here with a launch window opening at 3 a.m. ET.

The Falcon 9 rocket will be carrying the AMOS-6 communications satellite built by Israel Aerospace Industries for Space Communication Ltd. AMOS-6 will provide communication services including direct satellite home internet for Africa, the Middle East and Europe.
Jacques :-)

Offline Chris Bergin

Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - Sept 3 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #14 on: 09/01/2016 11:51 am »
So today is the scheduled date for the Static Fire. Weather is an issue as some outdoor KSC work has been cancelled by it. Lightning is a big constraint for rockets on the pad, so they'll need to find a slot. As per usual these days, SpaceX don't discuss pre-static fire flows (and aren't really bothering with confirmation of them) so visual sightings of the rocket on the pad is a good indication and we go from there. I'll send out a few requests if and when that is observed.
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Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - Sept 3 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #15 on: 09/01/2016 01:02 pm »
Updated weather forecast attached. Launch day probability now improved to 50% GO. With a 2 hour window hopefully they can find a slot.

Edit: launch forecast summary

Quote
Launch day probability of violating launch weather constraints: 50%
Primary concern(s): Liftoff Winds and Thick Cloud Layer Rule
Delay day probability of violating launch weather constraints: 40%
Primary concern(s): Cumulus Cloud and Thick Cloud Layer Rules
« Last Edit: 09/01/2016 01:04 pm by FutureSpaceTourist »

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - Sept 3 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #16 on: 09/01/2016 01:08 pm »
Here's the revised storm track prediction. Landfall is now expected further north and west than previously, presumably resulting in the improved launch probability.

Offline Jim

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - Sept 3 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #17 on: 09/01/2016 01:14 pm »
It blew up on the pad during hot fire

Offline Chris Bergin

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Offline bman549

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - Sept 3 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #19 on: 09/01/2016 01:21 pm »
Shook the SSPF building 3 miles away!

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Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - Sept 3 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #21 on: 09/01/2016 01:28 pm »
Quote
William Harwood ‏@cbs_spacenews 2m2 minutes ago

US EVA37: Twitter user Ian Dawson posts this shot:

https://twitter.com/cbs_spacenews/status/771338091558764544

Edit: Ian's original tweet is https://twitter.com/PointyEndUp/status/771336568380481537
« Last Edit: 09/01/2016 01:34 pm by FutureSpaceTourist »

Offline ChrisC

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - Sept 3 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #22 on: 09/01/2016 01:28 pm »
Live images link above is just automatic screengrabs.  Here is the live video, which I believe is Windows Media: http://kscwmserv1.ksc.nasa.gov/channel4

I think that's just the strongback visible in the center.
« Last Edit: 09/01/2016 01:31 pm by ChrisC »
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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - Sept 3 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #23 on: 09/01/2016 01:33 pm »
Fire rescue getting water on it now

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Offline Herb Schaltegger

Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - Sept 3 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #24 on: 09/01/2016 01:35 pm »
From a friend at KSC (so this is third-hand info), incident seemed to occur at about F minus-3 minutes, so after prop load while stage was pressurizing to flight level.
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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - Sept 3 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #25 on: 09/01/2016 01:37 pm »
Quote
William Harwood ‏@cbs_spacenews 2m2 minutes ago

US EVA37: Reliable source at KSC reports: "It appears ... the entire rocket exploded. We heard a very large explosion...

Quote
William Harwood ‏@cbs_spacenews 1m1 minute ago

US EVA37: ... "and a number of secondary explosions. There's a big fire and a lot of black smoke in the air."

Quote
William Harwood ‏@cbs_spacenews 1m1 minute ago

US EVA37: There are no reports of any injuries at this point; pad normally evacuated for hotfire test
« Last Edit: 09/01/2016 01:38 pm by FutureSpaceTourist »

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - Sept 3 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #26 on: 09/01/2016 01:40 pm »
My friend on the cape is saying there were at least 5 separate explosions. That together with the amount of continuing fire it would appear the pad equipment is compromised and burning.

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - Sept 3 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #27 on: 09/01/2016 01:44 pm »
facebook photos
« Last Edit: 09/01/2016 01:46 pm by jacqmans »
Jacques :-)

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - Sept 3 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #28 on: 09/01/2016 01:44 pm »
Quote
Scott Gustin ‏@ScottGustin 5m5 minutes ago

Wow. Photo shows one of the explosions at #SpaceX: http://i.imgur.com/rml8QZ5.jpg  (Reddit/mtrevor123)

https://twitter.com/ScottGustin/status/771341476903129088

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« Last Edit: 09/01/2016 01:46 pm by Orbiter »
KSC Engineer, astronomer, rocket photographer.

Offline vulture4

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - Sept 3 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #30 on: 09/01/2016 01:48 pm »
Was payload mounted?

No injuries but obvious damage to the pad. Crash trucks responded from both the Skid Strip and KSC.

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« Last Edit: 09/01/2016 01:52 pm by Hoonte »
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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - Sept 3 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #32 on: 09/01/2016 01:52 pm »
Do they usually test with the P/L already placed on the launcher?  :-\

Offline Ben the Space Brit

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - Sept 3 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #33 on: 09/01/2016 01:53 pm »
Do they usually test with the P/L already placed on the launcher?  :-\

Generally not fairing-enclosed payloads, no. They only test with payload in place for CRS missions.
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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - Sept 3 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #34 on: 09/01/2016 01:56 pm »
Multiple reports that second stage?? & payload hadn't been attached.

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - Sept 3 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #35 on: 09/01/2016 01:57 pm »
Smoke is starting to clear.

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Offline chad1011

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - Sept 3 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #36 on: 09/01/2016 02:04 pm »
Please keep update thread for updates.  Move questions and discussions to the discussion thread: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=30981.0

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - Sept 3 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #37 on: 09/01/2016 02:15 pm »
Hearing that spacecraft was on top

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - Sept 3 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #38 on: 09/01/2016 02:16 pm »
Multiple reports that second stage?? & payload hadn't been attached.

Second stage is always attached. 

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - Sept 3 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #39 on: 09/01/2016 02:16 pm »
Jacques :-)

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - Sept 3 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #40 on: 09/01/2016 02:16 pm »
CNN livestream here: https://www.facebook.com/cnn/videos/10155248248261509/

Top of the T/E is definitely mangled up bad. Some of that it the 2nd stage?




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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - Sept 3 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #41 on: 09/01/2016 02:17 pm »
looks like TE
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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - Sept 3 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #42 on: 09/01/2016 02:20 pm »

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - Sept 3 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #43 on: 09/01/2016 02:22 pm »
Quote
Helio overflying the pad reports suppression system working and containing the fire, but there were at least 3 spot fires.
https://twitter.com/aallan/status/771351867926413312

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - Sept 3 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #45 on: 09/01/2016 02:23 pm »
SpaceX official statement: Sent to all media, so deleted my post....this is what we all got:



Via: https://twitter.com/SciGuySpace/status/771352111657385984
« Last Edit: 09/01/2016 02:36 pm by Chris Bergin »

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - Sept 3 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #46 on: 09/01/2016 02:23 pm »

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - Sept 3 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #47 on: 09/01/2016 02:39 pm »
45th Space Wing Public Affairs Office

1201 Edward H. White II Street, Patrick AFB FL 32925-3237

Office: (321) 494-5933  Fax: (321) 494-7302 E-mail: [email protected]     

Sept. 1, 2016

MEDIA RELEASE

RELEASE #090116

Explosion occurs at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station

By 45th Space Wing Public Affairs

CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla. – At approximately 9:07 a.m. this morning an explosion occurred at launch complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.  Initial reports indicated that there were no causalities and has been no threat to public safety.   CCAFS Emergency Management is providing the initial on-scene response. Roadblocks will be set up in and around CCAFS, so we ask that you avoid the entrance to the Air Force Station until further notice.  We will provide updates as they become available.

Jacques :-)

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - Sept 3 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #48 on: 09/01/2016 02:44 pm »
SpaceX confirms loss of vehicle and payload on Twitter.

Online Galactic Penguin SST

Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - Sept 3 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #49 on: 09/01/2016 02:44 pm »
I think this picture should clear off any problems with regarding whether the payload was on board:

Peter B. de Selding ‏@pbdes
Here's picture of Falcon 9 with Spacecom's Amos-6 telecommunications satellite on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
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Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - Sept 3 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #50 on: 09/01/2016 02:49 pm »
Some idea of the force of the explosion:

Quote
Ben Brockert ‏@wikkit 15m15 minutes ago

~10 pieces of debris from the Falcon 9 found in the parking lot of KSC Pad A, "would fit in a shoebox". Lot is 1.8 miles from the F9 pad.

https://twitter.com/wikkit/status/771355370719744000

Offline blueguitarbob

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - Sept 3 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #51 on: 09/01/2016 02:51 pm »
Listening to KSC Communications, they are finding debris in parking lots at "pad A ops," "pad A logistics," and some roadways. I assume that's 39A. Waiting for EOD to clear.


Edit: now evacuating Pad A Ops Building on SE side.
« Last Edit: 09/01/2016 02:53 pm by blueguitarbob »

Offline Chris Bergin

Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - Sept 3 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #52 on: 09/01/2016 02:55 pm »
Short baseline article from Chris G's draft that was to mark the static fire. :(

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/09/falcon-9-explodes-amos-6-static-fire/

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Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - Sept 3 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #53 on: 09/01/2016 04:28 pm »
Quote
Parabolicarc.com ‏@spacecom 12m12 minutes ago California, USA

Hearing from a source that whatever went wrong happened very quickly. Windows blown in at KSC before pad fire alarm sounded #SpaceX #Falcon9

https://twitter.com/spacecom/status/771381094092410881

Offline DaveS

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - Sept 3 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #54 on: 09/01/2016 04:35 pm »
Quote
Parabolicarc.com ‏@spacecom 12m12 minutes ago California, USA

Hearing from a source that whatever went wrong happened very quickly. Windows blown in at KSC before pad fire alarm sounded #SpaceX #Falcon9

https://twitter.com/spacecom/status/771381094092410881
Of course. This was a sudden explosion, not a pad fire. Fire alarms only look for fire not explosions.
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Offline kevin-rf

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - Sept 3 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #55 on: 09/01/2016 04:38 pm »
Didn't see this in the update thread, but the anomaly showed up on weather radar.

https://twitter.com/frankmacekwkyc/status/771345128162287616
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Offline OnWithTheShow

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - Sept 3 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #56 on: 09/01/2016 05:08 pm »
Elon Musk ‏@elonmusk  29s30 seconds ago
Loss of Falcon vehicle today during propellant fill operation. Originated around upper stage oxygen tank. Cause still unknown. More soon.

Offline NX-0

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - Sept 3 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #57 on: 09/01/2016 05:15 pm »

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - Sept 3 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #58 on: 09/01/2016 05:18 pm »
SpaceX - Static Fire Anomaly - AMOS-6 - 09-01-2016
USLaunchReport

« Last Edit: 09/01/2016 05:23 pm by Chris Bergin »
I reject your reality and substitute my own--Doctor Who

Offline Joaosg

Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - Sept 3 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #59 on: 09/01/2016 05:37 pm »
Gif of the initial explosion

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - Sept 3 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #60 on: 09/01/2016 06:14 pm »
Quote
SpaceX explosion didnt involve intentional ignition - E Musk said occurred during 2d stage fueling - & isn't covered by launch insurance.

Quote
Spacecom insured Amos-6 for $285M in marine cargo market, not space insurance market. Launch +1 yr policy would kick in at rocket ignition.

https://twitter.com/pbdes/status/771409425475174400
https://twitter.com/pbdes/status/771409983074426881
« Last Edit: 09/01/2016 06:16 pm by ugordan »


Offline Jdeshetler

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - Sept 3 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #62 on: 09/01/2016 11:41 pm »
SpaceX - Static Fire Anomaly - AMOS-6 - 09-01-2016
USLaunchReport - slow down & close up at 1080P 60fps




« Last Edit: 09/01/2016 11:42 pm by Jdeshetler »

Offline jacqmans

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - Sept 3 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #63 on: 09/02/2016 05:28 am »

U.S. Air Force
45th Space Wing Public Affairs Office
1201 Edward H. White II Street, Patrick AFB FL 32925-3237
Office: (321) 494-5933  Fax: (321) 494-7302 E-mail: [email protected]   
 
 
September 1, 2016
MEDIA RELEASE
 
RELEASE #090116-2
 
CCAFS Responders Secure site following explosion
By 45th Space Wing Public Affairs
 
CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla. –  Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Emergency Operations personnel continue to respond to the explosion at Space Launch Complex 40 at approximately 9:07 a.m. this morning. According to SpaceX, there was an anomaly during a standard pre-launch static fire test for the AMOS-6 mission, which resulted in a loss of the vehicle and payload. The anomaly originated around the upper stage oxygen tank and occurred during propellant loading of the vehicle. Per standard safety operating procedure, all personnel were cleared of the complex at the time of the explosion and there were no personnel injuries.
 
"Days like today are difficult for many reasons," said Brig. Gen. Wayne Monteith, 45th Space Wing commander. "There was the potential for things to be a lot worse; however, due to our processes and procedures no one was injured as a result of this incident. I am proud of our team and how we managed today's response and our goal moving forward will be to assist and provide support wherever needed. Space is inherently dangerous and because of that, the Air Force is always ready."
 
First responders from CCAFS reacted quickly to secure the area surrounding the pad and ensured there were no hazardous effects to the public. This area will remain secure through tomorrow morning to ensure all fires are completely out and the pad is safe.
 
A team of Air Force experts from the 45th Space Wing Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Fire Department and Environmental Health personnel held the perimeter of the launch complex in order to access the situation from a closer vantage point throughout the day. EOD Airmen are trained to detect, dispose and render safe any possible explosive threats while Environmental Health personnel continue to monitor the air quality to ensure it is safe for emergency responders and the general public. Fire department personnel report the fire on the pad is now out and range safety officials are working to secure things for the evening.
 
CCAFS emergency management personnel continue to stress that safety is paramount and will remain the highest priority throughout the response effort.
 
Roadblocks remain in place in and around CCAFS, so we continue to ask the general public and members of the media to avoid the entrance to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station until further notice.
Jacques :-)

Offline Elmar Moelzer

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - Sept 3 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #64 on: 09/02/2016 07:22 am »
Twitter User TJ Lee did an interesting video edit here, superimposing the Dragon abort test over the video of today's accident:
https://twitter.com/StateMachines/status/771535425328459780
Dragon would have had plenty of time to escape.
« Last Edit: 09/02/2016 07:23 am by Elmar Moelzer »

Offline jacqmans

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - Sept 3 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #65 on: 09/02/2016 09:50 am »
NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration


Our statement on today's SpaceX incident:

We remain confident in our commercial partners and firmly stand behind the successful 21st century launch complex that NASA, other federal agencies, and U.S. commercial companies are building on Florida’s Space Coast. Today’s SpaceX incident -- while it was not a NASA launch -- is a reminder that spaceflight is an incredible challenge, but our partners learn from each success and setback.

The situation at the Cape is being evaluated, and it’s too early to know whether the incident will affect the schedule for upcoming NASA-related SpaceX launches to the International Space Station. If there are SpaceX mission delays, other cargo spacecraft will be able to meet the station’s cargo needs, and supplies and research investigations are at good levels.

The launch for NASA’s OSIRIS-REx Sample Return Mission remains on track for Sept. 8. Initial assessments indicate the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket and OSIRIS-REx spacecraft are healthy and secure in the Vertical Integration Facility at Space Launch Complex-41, which is 1.1 miles from SpaceX’s launch pad where the incident occurred.
Jacques :-)

Offline mnelson

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - Sept 3 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #66 on: 09/02/2016 11:27 am »
This "sound-synchronized" version of the video really helps drive home the size of the explosions for me. All that is done here is take out the delay of the sound reaching the camera so that it matches the visual.


Offline NX-0

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - Sept 3 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #67 on: 09/02/2016 11:54 am »

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 - AMOS-6 - Sept 3 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #68 on: 09/02/2016 04:47 pm »
Quote
September 2, 9:00am EDT

Statement from SpaceX President and COO, Gwynne Shotwell:

“We deeply regret the loss of Amos-6.  Our number one priority is to safely and reliably return to flight for our customers, and we will carefully investigate and address this issue.  We are grateful for the continued support that our customers have expressed to us.”

Offline jacqmans

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If you believe you have identified a piece of debris from yesterday's launch pad anomaly, please do not attempt to handle or retrieve the debris directly. Please call 1-866-623-0234 and leave your name, number and a brief description of what you have discovered and where, or you can email SpaceX with the information at: [email protected].
Jacques :-)

Offline Chris Bergin

Support from Iridium:

IridiumIR
‏@IridiumIR IridiumIR
Confident SpaceX will resolve issues leading to this anomaly; ready to launch when they are.
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Offline russianhalo117

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Matthew Travis is starting to release his footage:

Offline yokem55

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From SpaceX's website
Quote
September 2, 6:45pm EDT

SpaceX has begun the careful and deliberate process of understanding the causes and fixes for yesterday's incident.  We will continue to provide regular updates on our progress and findings, to the fullest extent we can share publicly.

We deeply regret the loss of AMOS-6, and safely and reliably returning to flight to meet the demands of our customers is our chief priority.  SpaceX's business is robust, with approximately 70 missions on our manifest worth over $10 billion.  In the aftermath of yesterday's events, we are grateful for the continued support and unwavering confidence that our commercial customers as well as NASA and the United States Air Force have placed in us.

Overview of the incident:

- Yesterday, at SpaceX's Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, an anomaly took place about eight minutes in advance of a scheduled test firing of a Falcon 9 rocket.

- The anomaly on the pad resulted in the loss of the vehicle.

- This was part of a standard pre-launch static fire to demonstrate the health of the vehicle prior to an eventual launch.

- At the time of the loss, the launch vehicle was vertical and in the process of being fueled for the test.  At this time, the data indicates the anomaly originated around the upper stage liquid oxygen tank.  Per standard operating procedure, all personnel were clear of the pad.  There were no injuries.

To identify the root cause of the anomaly, SpaceX began its investigation immediately after the loss, consistent with accident investigation plans prepared for such a contingency.  These plans include the preservation of all possible evidence and the assembly of an Accident Investigation Team, with oversight by the Federal Aviation Administration and participation by NASA, the United States Air Force and other industry experts.  We are currently in the early process of reviewing approximately 3000 channels of telemetry and video data covering a time period of just 35-55 milliseconds.

As for the Launch Pad itself, our teams are now investigating the status of SLC-40.  The pad clearly incurred damage, but the scope has yet to be fully determined.  We will share more data as it becomes available.  SpaceX currently operates 3 launch pads – 2 in Florida and 1 in California at Vandenberg Air Force Base.  SpaceX's other launch sites were not affected by yesterday's events.  Space Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg Air Force Base is in the final stages of an operational upgrade and Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center remains on schedule to be operational in November.  Both pads are capable of supporting Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launches.  We are confident the two launch pads can support our return to flight and fulfill our upcoming manifest needs.

Again, our number one priority is to safely and reliably return to flight for our customers, as well as to take all the necessary steps to ensure the highest possible levels of safety for future crewed missions with the Falcon 9. We will carefully and thoroughly investigate and address this issue.

Offline Wonger

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"Spacecom to recoup  $173m, plus interest, for destroyed satellite"


http://www.timesofisrael.com/spacecom-to-recoup-173m-plus-interest-for-destroyed-satellite/



Offline mme

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I think this counts as an update.

There's an important detail, that a lot of us here (myself included) missed:

SpaceX gave costumers the choice to keep the satellite on the rocket for the test fire or not. Spacecom *chose* to keep it on top.

See: http://spacenews.com/qa-spacecom-ceo-it-took-a-minute-to-realize-the-guys-under-the-smoke-are-us/

Expanding on the bit about the payload being included during the WDR/static-fire.

Quote
SpaceX’s decision to put satellites on the rocket before the standard static-fire test prelaunch, a policy that began only this year, allows the customer to agree or not to do this. Some have said no, others have said yes. You said yes: Could you explain that?

This was a decision made by IAI engineers. We were of course not just guests in the theater, but the front-line engineers were from IAI and SpaceX. I think they looked back on the latest launches to perform the engineering analysis.

I learned one thing years ago: Engineering is not mathematics.It seemed a prudent decision, and I am not sure the decision would have been different even now. We don’t know the cause of the failure. There are many engineering configurations that need to be analyzed. I have not yet come to any conclusion that would lead me to question the decision.

I can tell you that no price or cost decisions were involved in the decision. And we were not the first to do the static with the satellite. Everybody will look at this now of course.
Space is not Highlander.  There can, and will, be more than one.

Offline rayleighscatter

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The accident panel is roughly 20 people from SpaceX, USAF, NASA, FAA, and other "independent industry experts." FAA will have a single voting member on the panel, all other voting members will come from inside SpaceX.

None of the individuals on the panel have been publicly identified except the head of the investigation, Hans Koenigsmann SpaceX VP of Flight Reliability (Who also led last year's panel as well).

Offline Beittil

Fresh from Twitter:
Quote
Elon Musk ‏@elonmusk 8s8 seconds ago

Still working on the Falcon fireball investigation. Turning out to be the most difficult and complex failure we have ever had in 14 years.

Quote
Elon Musk ‏@elonmusk 35s35 seconds ago

Important to note that this happened during a routine filling operation. Engines were not on and there was no apparent heat source.

Quote
Elon Musk ‏@elonmusk 4m4 minutes ago

Support & advice from @NASA, @FAA, @AFPAA & others much appreciated. Please email any recordings of the event to [email protected].
« Last Edit: 09/09/2016 07:52 am by Beittil »

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Quote
Elon Musk ‏@elonmusk  16m16 minutes ago
Particularly trying to understand the quieter bang sound a few seconds before the fireball goes off. May come from rocket or something else.

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/774153847371501569
« Last Edit: 09/09/2016 08:11 am by FutureSpaceTourist »

Offline Shanuson

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Also this reply, make of it what you want.
Quote
AJ ‏@ashwin7002 34m34 minutes ago

@elonmusk @NASA @faa @AFPAA there are some videos on YouTube claiming something hit the rocket. Any reality there?
Quote
Elon Musk Verified account
‏@elonmusk:

@ashwin7002 @NASA @faa @AFPAA We have not ruled that out.

Offline jacqmans

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Matthew Travis
« Last Edit: 09/13/2016 12:50 pm by Carl G »
Jacques :-)

Offline Ilikeboosterrockets

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https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/774257337221517312

Elon Musk says they can't find indications of struts failing on vehicle sensors
« Last Edit: 09/09/2016 03:02 pm by Ilikeboosterrockets »

Offline Johnnyhinbos

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Elon's tweet was in response to this question:

John Hanzl. Author, action / adventure www.johnhanzl.com

Offline jpo234

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SpaceX is now officially asking the public for footage from the anomaly.


« Last Edit: 09/09/2016 08:44 pm by Chris Bergin »
You want to be inspired by things. You want to wake up in the morning and think the future is going to be great. That's what being a spacefaring civilization is all about. It's about believing in the future and believing the future will be better than the past. And I can't think of anything more exciting than being out there among the stars.

Offline Chris Bergin

Not really an update as such, but as a site this is a "where things stand" via a feature on 39A....

Feature article by Chris Gebhardt:

SpaceX looks to historic Pad 39A for Falcon 9 flight operations
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/09/spacex-historic-pad-39a-falcon-9/

---

Reason we did a feature on 39A and didn't just go wild with Elon's tweets as the focus is explained here:
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=41015.msg1581515#msg1581515
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Offline Scylla

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Emergency management: A behind the scenes look on the Eastern Range
By Lt. Col. Greg Lindsey, 45th Mission Support Group commander Detachment 1, / Published September 08, 2016
http://www.patrick.af.mil/News/Commentaries/Display/Article/938481/emergency-management-a-behind-the-scenes-look-on-the-eastern-range

I reject your reality and substitute my own--Doctor Who

Offline toruonu

From P.B. de Selding:

Quote
SpaceX President Shotwell: We anticipate return to flight in November, meaning down for three months. Next flight from CCAFS, then to VAFB.

https://twitter.com/pbdes/status/775702299402526720
« Last Edit: 09/13/2016 05:08 pm by Chris Bergin »

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Quote
Peter B. de Selding ‏@pbdes 4m4 minutes ago

SpaceX's Shotwell: We have been told that the Sept. 1 anomaly will not affect Falcon 9's insurance rates. So we expect no impact.

https://twitter.com/pbdes/status/775707555444252673

« Last Edit: 09/13/2016 05:08 pm by Chris Bergin »

Offline Kryten

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Quote
Peter B. de Selding ‏@pbdes  4m4 minutes ago
SpaceX's Shotwell: Nov return to flight is our best hope. We still haven't isolated the cause or whether its origin was rocket or ground.

Offline Jdeshetler

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Video of SpaceX-President on Falcon 9 accident

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYs2h1ek6HM&feature=youtu.be

Offline Chris Bergin

Just in case folk are wondering why this thread is quiet and the discussion thread is racing....it's because people are posting in the correct thread.

The update is only that they are still working the root cause path in a very complicated investigation process (as you know, but it's still the case as of this week). They have candidates, but no actual cause yet. That's why there isn't a recent update to their last official status post.

So yeah, that's no help to you, I know, but some people were posting "anything?" in this thread, so I thought I better post here.

As you've all been doing, please continue discussion in the discussion thread (obviously ;))
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Offline somepitch

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From http://www.spacex.com/news/2016/09/01/anomaly-updates

September 23, 1:00pm EDT

Three weeks ago, SpaceX experienced an anomaly at our Launch Complex 40 (LC-40) at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. This resulted in the loss of one of our Falcon 9 rockets and its payload.

The Accident Investigation Team (AIT), composed of SpaceX, the FAA, NASA, the U.S. Air Force, and industry experts, are currently scouring through approximately 3,000 channels of engineering data along with video, audio and imagery. The timeline of the event is extremely short – from first signs of an anomaly to loss of data is about 93 milliseconds or less than 1/10th of a second. The majority of debris from the incident has been recovered, photographed, labeled and catalogued, and is now in a hangar for inspection and use during the investigation.

At this stage of the investigation, preliminary review of the data and debris suggests that a large breach in the cryogenic helium system of the second stage liquid oxygen tank took place. All plausible causes are being tracked in an extensive fault tree and carefully investigated. Through the fault tree and data review process, we have exonerated any connection with last year’s CRS-7 mishap.

The teams have continued inspections of LC-40 and the surrounding facilities. While substantial areas of the pad systems were affected, the Falcon Support Building adjacent to the pad was unaffected, and per standard procedure was unoccupied at the time of the anomaly. The new liquid oxygen farm – e.g. the tanks and plumbing that hold our super-chilled liquid oxygen – was unaffected and remains in good working order. The RP-1 (kerosene) fuel farm was also largely unaffected. The pad’s control systems are also in relatively good condition.

SpaceX’s other facilities, from the Payload Processing Facility at the Cape, to the pad and hangar at LC-39A, are located several miles from LC-40 and were unaffected as well. Work continues at Pad 39A in preparation for bringing it online in November. The teams have been in contact with our Cape Canaveral and Kennedy Space Center partners and neighbors and have found no evidence of debris leaving the immediate area of LC-40.

At SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne, CA, our manufacturing and production is continuing in a methodical manner, with teams continuing to build engines, tanks, and other systems as they are exonerated from the investigation. We will work to resume our manifest as quickly as responsible once the cause of the anomaly has been identified by the Accident Investigation Team. Pending the results of the investigation, we anticipate returning to flight as early as the November timeframe.

Other efforts, including the Commercial Crew Program with NASA, are continuing to progress. Getting back to flight safely and reliably is our top priority, and the data gathered from the present investigation will result in an even safer and more reliable vehicle for our customers and partners.

Offline Chris Bergin

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Offline MarekCyzio

Per SpaceX:
[Updated 09/24: At this time, the cause of the potential breach remains unknown.]
Source: http://www.spacex.com/news/2016/09/01/anomaly-updates

Offline Rocket Science

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Per SpaceX:
[Updated 09/24: At this time, the cause of the potential breach remains unknown.]
Source: http://www.spacex.com/news/2016/09/01/anomaly-updates

Is that a bad link? I don't see any 9/24 update (and I'm surprised they did one on a Saturday anyways?)
looks like they updated a 9/23 with an addition... Have a look if I'm reading it correctly....
[Updated 09/24: At this time, the cause of the potential breach remains unknown.]
http://www.spacex.com/news/2016/09/01/anomaly-updates
« Last Edit: 09/26/2016 03:06 pm by Rocket Science »
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Offline jpo234

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Per SpaceX:
[Updated 09/24: At this time, the cause of the potential breach remains unknown.]
Source: http://www.spacex.com/news/2016/09/01/anomaly-updates

Is that a bad link? I don't see any 9/24 update (and I'm surprised they did one on a Saturday anyways?)
You want to be inspired by things. You want to wake up in the morning and think the future is going to be great. That's what being a spacefaring civilization is all about. It's about believing in the future and believing the future will be better than the past. And I can't think of anything more exciting than being out there among the stars.

Offline jpo234

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https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/780893099501326336
Quote
Musk: F9 anomaly investigation still top priority; “most vexing and difficult thing.” Ruled out all the obvious possibilities. #IAC2016

Also from Jeff Foust: "Musk says Falcon 9 investigation remains SpaceX’s top priority"

Quote
“We’ve eliminated all of the obvious possibilities” for the anomaly, he said. “So what remains are less probable.”

Edit: Add link to actual article by Jeff Foust
« Last Edit: 09/28/2016 01:31 pm by jpo234 »
You want to be inspired by things. You want to wake up in the morning and think the future is going to be great. That's what being a spacefaring civilization is all about. It's about believing in the future and believing the future will be better than the past. And I can't think of anything more exciting than being out there among the stars.

Offline Chris Bergin

For what it's worth, SpaceX PAO pass this on to the media just now.

----
All –

Given your prior coverage, I wanted to pass along this letter a bipartisan group of 24 Members of Congress sent to the Administrator of the FAA, the Secretary of the Air Force, and the Administrator of NASA concerning the investigation into the Sept 1 anomaly at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.
 

http://flores.house.gov/uploadedfiles/faa-usaf-nasa-letter-20160930.pdf

---snip

(PS Remember, update only thread, discuss this in the discussion section).
« Last Edit: 10/04/2016 04:03 pm by Chris Bergin »
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Offline Dante80

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Shotwell on the Amos-6 mishap.
http://spacenews.com/spacexs-shotwell-on-falcon-9-inquiry-discounts-for-reused-rockets-and-silicon-valleys-test-and-fail-ethos/

The Falcon 9 rocket failure last year was tied to a failed strut. You found a strut in inventory that failed. How do you know that it was a strut that caused the failure and not simply a coincidence and that the cause lies elsewhere?
You have to look at the preponderance of evidence in order to know for sure. Knowing for sure would mean more video cameras in the tanks, which we are doing, actually. We’re going to put more video in the tanks. We currently have video on the tanks. We weren’t downloading the stream on the one that had that particular camera on this most recent event a month ago.
Based on accelerometer data we knew exactly where the failure occurred. And the only thing in that area was a strut and we also had some of these purchased components in inventory and they did not pass screening. So: Do you know 100 percent? No. Do you know 99.9 percent? Yes. I believe the Air Force and NASA agreed with us, I’m pretty sure.

Could you address a recent story that SpaceX suspected that a nefarious actor might have been a contributor to the Sept. 1 failure. I know you can’t eliminate anything in an inquiry, but…
That’s right: You cannot eliminate anything, especially if there are some data points that say it’s possible, but not likely. The more than likely — the overwhelmingly likely — explanation is that we did something to that rocket. And we’re going to find it and we’re going to fix it.

So the idea that an outside force might have intervened to cause the failure is not high on your list of thoughts?
Absolutely not high on my list of thoughts.

If I recall correctly, the NASA report on the June 2015 failure said the strut issue was a probable cause, but not a definitive root cause. You said it wasn’t 100 percent sure, but 99 percent sure. Is it possible that the second-stage composite helium bottle, immersed in the LOX tank, might have been an actor in the 2015 failure and again in what happened on September 1?
Until we complete the investigation and get through all the data, and all the scenarios, you can’t say it wasn’t this or it wasn’t that. I can tell you that the signature for this particular failure was substantially different from the one we saw last June. It’s incredibly unlikely that the scenario that we saw last June was the same as this one. It’s extremely low on the possibility list right now.

What’s the possibility that there’s a design issue with that helium bottle?
I don’t think it’s a design issue with the bottle. I think it probably is more focused on the operations, which is one of the reasons we believe we can get back to flight so quickly.
But we have to finish the investigation. We’re not going to fly until we’re ready to fly.

When you say it’s more focused on operations, you mean filling of the helium tank, or the filling of the LOX tank, or what?
All of it. We’re going to look at all of it.

On Sept. 1 it wasn’t clear whether the cause lay in the ground support equipment, or inside the rocket. You have made the determination that it was inside the rocket and not some procedure during preparation for the static test?
We believe that the composite over wrapped pressure vessel [the helium bottle], known as a COPv, let go in the tank. What caused it, the exact reason it let go, we’re still investigating. I don’t believe it was a ground system cause, but we’re still looking at the data.

So it’s too soon to say you’re going to be back this year or to give any date?
I do believe we’re going to get back this year. We’re running a lot of tests at our test facility in Texas and we’re learning an awful lot. It’s not impossible for us to fly this year.
« Last Edit: 10/05/2016 02:20 pm by Dante80 »

Offline Lars-J

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SpaceX just posted an update - seems like they are making progress and can at least partially reproduce what happened:

http://www.spacex.com/news/2016/09/01/anomaly-updates

October 28, 4:00pm EDT

The Accident Investigation Team continues to make progress in examining the anomaly on September 1 that led to the loss of a Falcon 9 and its payload at Launch Complex 40 (LC-40), Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.

Since the incident, investigators from SpaceX, the FAA, NASA, the US Air Force and industry experts have been working methodically through an extensive fault tree to investigate all plausible causes. As part of this, we have conducted tests at our facility in McGregor, Texas, attempting to replicate as closely as possible the conditions that may have led to the mishap.

The investigation team has made significant progress on the fault tree. Previously, we announced the investigation was focusing on a breach in the cryogenic helium system of the second stage liquid oxygen tank. The root cause of the breach has not yet been confirmed, but attention has continued to narrow to one of the three composite overwrapped pressure vessels (COPVs) inside the LOX tank. Through extensive testing in Texas, SpaceX has shown that it can re-create a COPV failure entirely through helium loading conditions. These conditions are mainly affected by the temperature and pressure of the helium being loaded.

SpaceX’s efforts are now focused on two areas – finding the exact root cause, and developing improved helium loading conditions that allow SpaceX to reliably load Falcon 9. With the advanced state of the investigation, we also plan to resume stage testing in Texas in the coming days, while continuing to focus on completion of the investigation. This is an important milestone on the path to returning to flight.

Pending the results of the investigation, we continue to work towards returning to flight before the end of the year. Our launch sites at Kennedy Space Center, Florida, and Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, remain on track to be operational in this timeframe.
« Last Edit: 10/28/2016 08:42 pm by Lars-J »

Offline toruonu

According to Peter B. de Selding's tweet to this article:

http://spacenews.com/inmarsat-juggling-two-launches-says-spacex-to-return-to-flight-in-december/

SpaceX has found the root cause and is returning to flight in December.

Quote
“SpaceX has obviously spent some time investigating the reasons behind their recent launch failure,” Inmarsat Chief Executive Rupert Pearce said in a conference call with investors. “We believe they now have found a root cause that is fixable quite easily and quite quickly. So they should be able to return to flight in December.”

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Quote
Peter B. de Selding ‏@pbdes 19m19 minutes ago

SpaceX statement late Nov 3 responding to customer Inmarsat saying root cause of Sept 1 explosion found & Falcon 9 returns to flight in Dec:

"We're continuing to make progress with the investigation into our Sept. 1 anomaly and we are working to safely and reliably return to flight at the earliest possible date. Inmarsat is a long-term partner, and we remain committed to working with them to meet the needs of their business and customers."

https://twitter.com/pbdes/status/794453269468811264

Offline DOCinCT

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-musk-cnbc-20161104-story.html

SpaceX Chief Executive Elon Musk said Friday morning that the company could return to launch next month. Musk said the company thinks it has “gotten to the bottom of the problem” that led to a September launch pad explosion and the destruction of a Falcon 9 rocket and communications satellite in Florida.
Musk said in an interview on CNBC that it “looks like” SpaceX will start launching again in mid-December. He described the cause of the explosion as something that has “never been encountered before in the history of rocketry.”
Musk provided few specific details but said it “basically involves a combination of liquid helium, advanced carbon fiber composites and solid oxygen, oxygen so cold that it actually enters solid phase.”  - from a LA Times article.
« Last Edit: 11/04/2016 09:01 pm by Chris Bergin »

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Quote
Sigh, I have a bad feeling I'm going to be covering a SpaceX launch during my annual Christmas party again

https://twitter.com/lorengrush/status/794597372600913920

Attached to the tweet (and this post) is what looks like a transcription of Elon's interview.

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Here's the CNBC interview with Elon. The bit about F9 is at the beginning:


Offline nisse

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Don't know if this is an update.

Washington Post article 11/8/16.

"Elon Musk’s rocket blew up in September. Here’s why one of his main customers isn’t worried."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2016/11/08/elon-musks-rocket-blew-up-in-september-heres-why-one-of-his-main-customers-isnt-worried/

Offline Chris Bergin

Thanks to all for respecting this is update only. Posting our latest two articles as relevant (yesterday's and todays) for this update thread. First from some fool called Chris Bergin ;) -

Status and RTF plans:
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/11/spacex-rockets-december-return/

ISS Status and NASA considerations for CRS Dragon - by superb Chris Gebhardt:

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/11/station-good-health-busy-expedition-50-period/

--

Continue in the discussion thread and hopefully we'll be posting news of the investigation coming to a conclusion soon enough.
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Offline Chris Bergin

Short update on the official site:

http://www.spacex.com/news/2016/09/01/anomaly-updates

Quote
December 7, 10:30am EDT

We are finalizing the investigation into our September 1 anomaly and are working to complete the final steps necessary to safely and reliably return to flight, now in early January with the launch of Iridium-1. This allows for additional time to close-out vehicle preparations and complete extended testing to help ensure the highest possible level of mission assurance prior to launch.
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Offline jpo234

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Iridium CEO Matt Desch confirms on Twitter that the AMOS-6 report has been filed.
« Last Edit: 01/02/2017 09:18 am by jpo234 »
You want to be inspired by things. You want to wake up in the morning and think the future is going to be great. That's what being a spacefaring civilization is all about. It's about believing in the future and believing the future will be better than the past. And I can't think of anything more exciting than being out there among the stars.

Offline Chris Bergin

Report was filed a while back, but the big deal will be when there's an announcement....and we believe it's coming imminently, per the Iridium launch.
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Offline jpo234

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Report was filed a while back, but the big deal will be when there's an announcement....and we believe it's coming imminently, per the Iridium launch.

The official update is live: http://www.spacex.com/news/2016/09/01/anomaly-updates

Quote
January 2, 2017, 9:00am EST

Over the past four months, officials at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the U.S. Air Force (USAF), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), along with several industry experts, have collaborated with SpaceX on a rigorous investigation to determine the cause of the anomaly that occurred September 1 at Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. This investigation team was established according to SpaceX's accident investigation plan as approved by the FAA. As the primary federal licensing body, the FAA provided oversight and coordination for the investigation.

Investigators scoured more than 3,000 channels of video and telemetry data covering a very brief timeline of events – there were just 93 milliseconds from the first sign of anomalous data to the loss of the second stage, followed by loss of the vehicle. Because the failure occurred on the ground, investigators were also able to review umbilical data, ground-based video, and physical debris. To validate investigation analysis and findings, SpaceX conducted a wide range of tests at its facilities in Hawthorne, California and McGregor, Texas.

The accident investigation team worked systematically through an extensive fault tree analysis and concluded that one of the three composite overwrapped pressure vessels (COPVs) inside the second stage liquid oxygen (LOX) tank failed. Specifically, the investigation team concluded the failure was likely due to the accumulation of oxygen between the COPV liner and overwrap in a void or a buckle in the liner, leading to ignition and the subsequent failure of the COPV.

Each stage of Falcon 9 uses COPVs to store cold helium which is used to maintain tank pressure, and each COPV consists of an aluminum inner liner with a carbon overwrap. The recovered COPVs showed buckles in their liners. Although buckles were not shown to burst a COPV on their own, investigators concluded that super chilled LOX can pool in these buckles under the overwrap. When pressurized, oxygen pooled in this buckle can become trapped; in turn, breaking fibers or friction can ignite the oxygen in the overwrap, causing the COPV to fail. In addition, investigators determined that the loading temperature of the helium was cold enough to create solid oxygen (SOX), which exacerbates the possibility of oxygen becoming trapped as well as the likelihood of friction ignition.

The investigation team identified several credible causes for the COPV failure, all of which involve accumulation of super chilled LOX or SOX in buckles under the overwrap. The corrective actions address all credible causes and focus on changes which avoid the conditions that led to these credible causes. In the short term, this entails changing the COPV configuration to allow warmer temperature helium to be loaded, as well as returning helium loading operations to a prior flight proven configuration based on operations used in over 700 successful COPV loads. In the long term, SpaceX will implement design changes to the COPVs to prevent buckles altogether, which will allow for faster loading operations.​

SpaceX is targeting return to flight from Vandenberg's Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) with the Iridium NEXT launch on January 8. SpaceX greatly appreciates the support of our customers and partners throughout this process, and we look forward to fulfilling our manifest in 2017 and beyond.
You want to be inspired by things. You want to wake up in the morning and think the future is going to be great. That's what being a spacefaring civilization is all about. It's about believing in the future and believing the future will be better than the past. And I can't think of anything more exciting than being out there among the stars.

Offline Chris Bergin

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Offline DanseMacabre

AMOS-6 Mission patch revealed by Ticklestuff (Curator of spacexpatchlist.space): https://twitter.com/ticklestuffyo/status/959258167275282432

Update from Ticklestuff, the patch is a fan-made patch, but it is a representation of the actual patch imagery. https://twitter.com/ticklestuffyo/status/959265316978139136

Update the second from Ticklestuff https://twitter.com/ticklestuffyo/status/959272033023533063. That's the actual patch imagery.
 
File also attached.



(Apologies for the Necro, but I thought it better to post here than in new thread!)
« Last Edit: 02/02/2018 10:06 am by DanseMacabre »

Offline catdlr

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SpaceX - We May Never Know - AMOS-6 08-28-2018


USLaunchReport
Published on Aug 28, 2018

It was two years ago, on Sept 1st. Elon Musk "Turning out to be the most difficult and complex failure we have ever had in 14 years"



Tony De La Rosa, ...I'm no Feline Dealer!! I move mountains.  but I'm better known for "I think it's highly sexual." Japanese to English Translation.

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