Tech

Elon Musk Still Doesn’t Know Why His Rocket Exploded

(REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni/File Photo)

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Andrew Follett Energy and Science Reporter
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Elon Musk still doesn’t know why a SpaceX rocket exploded before takeoff in what’s been called the “most difficult and complex failure” in history.

Now, he’s begging the internet for help.

“If you have audio, photos or videos of our anomaly last week, please send to report@spacex.com. Material may be useful for investigation,” Musk asked the internet over Twitter. “Turning out to be the most difficult and complex failure we have ever had in 14 years.”

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, worth $60 million, was carrying a $200 million satellite to provide phone, video and internet services for the Middle East, Europe, and locations across sub-Saharan Africa. The cause of the explosion is still unknown, but an investigation has revealed the accident likely began with a failure in the the rocket’s upper stage oxygen tanks.

Industry experts believe the explosion could have been caused by a fuel leak, unknown contaminants in the liquid oxygen propellant or a problem with the rocket’s staging. Until the cause of the explosion is known, Musk will have a harder time finding new clients and is risking a serious financial loss with each new launch.

Musk’s company could even be hit with a $50 million dollar lawsuit from the telecommunications company whose satellite the rocket explosion destroyed.

SpaceX rockets have previously exploded several times during landing attempts, which Musk called a “huge blow.” Currently, SpaceX has nine more scheduled launches this year. After the company’s last launch failure, it took nearly six months before Falcon 9 launches were resumed. The company’s corporate competitors have estimated that it could take up to a full year to resume launches.

SpaceX may not be able to afford to take a year off. The company currently has a total of $330 million invested in SolarCity, Musk’s rooftop solar company. SolarCity is a sizable investment for SpaceX, which was valued at $12 billion in 2015, leaving the company with little cash on hand. Musk himself invested $10 million of his personal fortune into SolarCity in February, according to Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

SpaceX plans to use a similar rocket to launch a human into space in October 2017. The company is currently racing Boeing to be the first private company to send humans to the International Space Station. SpaceX and Boeing, along with other companies, have made huge advancements in reusable rocketry, which has the potential to greatly reduce the costs of getting into space.

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