CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — SpaceX’s chief executive says last week’s launch pad accident is the “most difficult and complex failure” in the company’s 14-year history.
After a week of public silence, SpaceX founder Elon Musk said via Twitter that the company is still investigating the accident. He’s calling it a Falcon fireball, versus an explosion.
Related: SpaceX scouring data for clues to launch pad explosion
Still working on the Falcon fireball investigation. Turning out to be the most difficult and complex failure we have ever had in 14 years.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 9, 2016
A massive fireball erupted during a prelaunch test Sept. 1 at Cape Canaveral, Florida. The Falcon rocket and a satellite were destroyed, and the pad was damaged.
Particularly puzzling, according to Musk, is “the quieter bang” heard right before the fireball. He says it may have come from the rocket or something else. The rocket engines had yet to fire as part of the test, and so there was no apparent heat source.
Related: Explosion at SpaceX launch pad destroys rocket, satellite
Particularly trying to understand the quieter bang sound a few seconds before the fireball goes off. May come from rocket or something else.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 9, 2016
If you have audio, photos or videos of our anomaly last week, please send to report@spacex.com. Material may be useful for investigation
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) September 9, 2016
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