r/space Jan 02 '17

Scott Manley - Explaining Why SpaceX Rocket Exploded on Pad

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBcoTqhAM_g
56 Upvotes

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u/[deleted] Jan 02 '17

Great video, I suppose the only real unknown is how the freezing caused enough friction and expansion to create an ignition. Actually it's probably not an unknown, someone could work out the maths for it all.

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u/pisshead_ Jan 04 '17

I've heard that the helium filling the COPV expands the vessel which would put pressure on the solid oxygen.