Based on the preliminary investigations of the Falcon 8 rocket accident on September 1, SpaceX blames the explosion on a cryogenic helium system used on the rocket's second stage system.
The Falcon 9 rocket explosion has severely damaged the Launch Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral in Florida and has completely destroyed the rocket itself. Falcon 9 also carried the Amos-6 satellite and this was also destroyed during the explosion.
Explosion happened during fueling
Falcon 9 did not explode during its launch or flight. Reports said that the explosion happened as engineers were placing fuel in the rocket during a routine static firing. This was the time the first-stage engines are fired while it is still clamped to the ground.
During the accident, the first-stage engines were never fired but the rocket blew up without warning. Luckily no one was hurt or killed during the explosion.
Meanwhile, support systems and structures near the area were reported to be intact and in working condition. It is also business as usual for Space X's facilities in Hawthorne where manufacturing and production of new components for rockets are done.
Elon Musk appeals to the public
After three weeks of investigation and over 3,000 channels of data and audio and video recordings, the actual cause of the accident is still undetermined. Aside from an investigation team from SpaceX, teams from the US Air Force, US FAA, NASA and industry experts have been checking out the debris gathered around the launch site.
On the other hand, Elon Musk, SpaceX founder and CEO, appealed to the public for help through his Twitter page. He asked followers for audio, videos or photos of the accident to help in their investigation. Musk had to make this appeal since SpaceX had no cameras running during the time the explosion happened.
Error not similar to CRS-7 Falcon 9
The cryogenic helium system of the Falcon 9 is an integral part of the liquid oxygen tank found on the second stage component of the rocket. The breach happened in the system and did not happen during mid-flight which was the fate of SpaceX's CRS-7 Falcon 9 in 2015.
The source may have been identified but the reason for the breach is still being investigated. SpaceX said that it may resume normal flight operations in November.
