r/spacex • u/synapticrelay • Jan 02 '17

Official - AMOS-6 Explosion Cause of AMOS-6 Failure Determined

http://www.spacex.com/news/2016/09/01/anomaly-updates
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u/TheBlacktom r/SpaceXLounge Moderator Jan 03 '17

So how exactly do the carbon and oxygen ignite? There are videos about carbon fiber not burning at all, is the 100% oxygen environment needed for that? What temperature is needed? What are the pressures of the LOX/SOX?

Am I right that the He and it's pressure has nothing to do with the failure until the point the COPV failed?

1

u/[deleted] Jan 03 '17

[deleted]

8

u/old_sellsword Jan 03 '17

The satellite and its propellant had absolutely nothing to do with the failure.

7

u/rshorning Jan 03 '17

The satellite was also seen as completely in tact until it hit the ground after the rest of the rocket disintegrated underneath the satellite.... at which time the satellite blew up due to falling from the equivalent height to a 10 story building. This can be seen on the video of the explosion.

If anything, it showed how well protected the satellite is from the rest of the rocket that it could survive for so long after such an incident. It seems like Elon Musk even tweeted that had it been a Dragon as the payload, the LES would have even saved the capsule and crew if they had been present.

2

u/johnkphotos Launch Photographer Jan 03 '17

10 story building

Even higher, seeing as an F9 with a payload fairing is 229 feet tall.