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Buckling of SpaceX Starship prototype, SN3, during a cryo test

FROM Popular Mechanics, April 3, 2020, by Jennifer Leman:

“Early this morning, SpaceX lost a Starship prototype, SN3, during a cryo test. The same rocket successfully completed a nitrogen test at ambient temperature Wednesday evening. Elon Musk tweeted that the loss may have been the result of a ‘test configuration mistake.’

“Early this morning at SpaceX's Boca Chica, Texas facility, the company lost its third full-scale Starship prototype, SN3, during a cryogenic proof test. On Wednesday night, the same vehicle successfully completed a pressure test.

“When the rocket was filled with nitrogen and exposed to flight temperature and pressure just after 2 a.m., the hull of the rocket buckled, suggesting the vehicle had possibly depressurized and crumpled in on itself. See for yourself in this video from NASASpaceflight.com “

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