SpaceX explosion: Leaked video appears to show Nasa astronaut capsule explode during safety test
Crew Dragon capsule is set to fly to international space station later this year
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A SpaceX craft designed to take Nasa astronauts to the International Space Station appears to have exploded during tests.
A leaked video shared across social media showed a Crew Dragon capsule suffer a malfunction on a test stand, months ahead of the first planned mission with astronauts.
The private space firm said in a statement that it experienced an issue during a series of engine tests over the weekend in Cape Canaveral, Florida. However, it did not confirm the legitimacy of the leaked video.
“The initial tests completed successfully but the final test resulted in an anomaly on the test stand,” the company said.
Visitors to the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral over the weekend also captured images of an orange plume of smoke rising from a facility usually used for SpaceX tests.
Nasa did not comment on the video but administrator Jim Bridenstine confirmed that the space agency was in conversations with SpaceX.
“The Nasa and SpaceX teams are assessing the anomaly that occurred today during a part of the Dragon Super Draco Static Fire Test at SpaceX Landing Zone 1 in Florida,” he tweeted. “This is why we test. We will learn, make the necessary adjustments and safely move forward with our Commercial Crew Program.”
SpaceX has already successfully flown the Dragon capsule, with an unmanned mission taking it up to the ISS earlier this year.
It docked autonomously with the space station before splashing down in the Atlantic off the coast of Florida.
News of the explosion comes amid reports of a Tesla vehicle exploding in China.
Elon Musk, who is the chief executive of both SpaceX and Tesla, is yet to comment on either incident.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments