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Here’s what probably went wrong.
An explanation
SpaceX’s prototype SN10 spacecraft may have landed successfully, but the explosion that followed arguably left something to be desired.
The company led by Elon Musk is now working hard to prevent the next prototype, dubbed SN11, from turning into tiny shards of steel shells. This means that the big question in the space industry is whether it will succeed – a tension that, understandably, seems to be a major concern for Musk himself.
Floating helium
Musk took to Twitter on Tuesday to explain what went wrong on SN10’s maiden voyage last month.
“The SN10 engine had low thrust (probably) due to the partial ingestion of helium from the fuel tank,” explained the billionaire. “Impact of crushed legs at 10 m / s and part of the skirt.”
The next prototype could have sturdier legs to make sure the ground doesn’t damage the fuel tanks above. “Several fixes in the works for SN11,” Musk promised in the tweet.
Sucking bubbles
When asked if there were baffles, which are devices used to hold a liquid fluid or gas, in place to prevent rocket fuel from slipping, Musk make an educated guess – and explained what could have detonated SN10.
“There were baffles, but you could have acted like a straw to suck bubbles above the liquid / gas level.”
Musk spoke from experience. “Something similar happened on a Falcon 1’s first flight, causing unexpectedly high liquid oxygen residue when the main engine was shut down,” he added.
SN11 has already been rolled onto the launch pad, where it awaits its first static firing tests. SpaceX has a decent chance of landing it all at once – and not having another massive explosion on its hands.
If it explodes, there will be plenty of future prototypes to iron out the issues. Keen-eyed onlookers have already spotted leg skirts for a prototype called the SN20.
READ MORE: Elon Musk explains why Starship SN10 prototype exploded after landing [Gizmodo]
Learn more about Starship: SpaceX just launched its next prototype spacecraft on the mat
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