E-MAIL THIS LINK
To: 

SpaceX MK-1 EXPLODES while being pressure tested


From the Facebook SpaceX Boca Chica group, the Moderator reports:
RUPTURE UPDATE:
Through back channels it has been revealed that MK1 suffered an accidental overpressure to failure. Fuel and oxidizer would typically be loaded to 3 Bar or 43.5 psi~ for densification purposes and flightworthy tanks may be tested to 1.5-2x that value for single time structural proofing. In the case of what happened today the story is that communications errors between the pumps/sensors and remote controls allowed the tanks to be massively and erroneously overpressured to the point of failure, leading to catastrophic rupture.

We expect SpaceX in good time to reveal the details, they may explain it was deliberate as big changes in airframe and control surfaces in the succeeding MK series variants are coming.

Posted by: 3dc 2019-11-21
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=555988