Investigation takes a new turn.
The investigation into the explosion of a Space X rocket in early September has taken a new turn as the company decided to probe the chances of any sabotage that may have led to the explosion of Falcon 9.
The rocket exploded on a Cape Canaveral launch pad two days before it was scheduled to launch.
The Washington Post reported that the company is considering sabotage as a possible cause of the explosion that destroyed the rocket and an Israeli satellite called Amos-6.
While reviewing the video of the explosion, Space X has spotted a suspicious “odd shadow and then a white spot” on the roof of United Launch Alliance (ULA) building which is about a mile away from the launch pad.
“A preliminary review of the data and debris suggests a breach in the second stage’s helium system, but the cause of the breach is still unknown. We have sought all available data to support the investigation in a timely manner following the anomaly, as expected for any responsible investigation,” a Space X statement said.
ULA, a partnership between Boeing and Lockheed Martin, is a rival of Space X. Two weeks after the explosion, a Space X employee had sought access to the roof of the building that belonged to ULA as part of the investigation. But, the request was turned down.
The ULA employees called Air Force officials to inspect the roof after denying entry to Space X employee. But, the Air Force officials didn’t find anything suspicious, reported The Washington Post.
“Preliminary review of the data and debris suggests a breach in the second stage’s helium system” on the Falcon 9, “but the cause of the breach is still unknown,” said a statement of Space X sent to CNBC.
“The Accident Investigation Team has an obligation to consider all possible causes of the anomaly, and we aren’t commenting on any specific potential cause until the investigation is complete,” it added.
A ULA spokesperson told Fox News that the company cooperated with the Air Force’s 45th Space Wing in the inspection, but nothing connected with the explosion was found.
Earlier, Space X CEO Elon Musk had called the explosion, “most difficult and complex failure we have ever had in 14 years.”