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SpaceX Investigation Finds Failed Strut Caused Falcon 9 Explosion

Valerie Insinna
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SpaceX Investigation Finds Failed Strut Caused Falcon 9 Explosion

The failed launch this June of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket (Defense Daily, June 29) was likely caused by a strut in the second stage liquid oxygen tank, which broke free during flight, said the company’s CEO and chief rocket designer Elon Musk. After the strut failed, the highly-pressurized helium bottle it was securing shot to the top of the tank at high speed, leading to the rocket explosion just two minutes after launch.The stainless steel strut was designed to handle…

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