SpaceX Crew Capsule suffers failure in engine test, delay in first manned flight likely

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SpaceX Crew Capsule suffers failure in engine test, delay in first manned flight likely
SpaceX Crew Capsule suffers failure in engine test, delay in first manned flight likely

New Delhi : SpaceX crew capsule designed to ferry International Space Station's astronauts has suffered a failure during the engine test that sent a billowing plume of smoke into the air over Cape Canaveral, Florida. With this it is likely that its first manned mission may get delayed to ensure the safety of the passengers on board.

No one has been reported injured and the makers are now looking for the fault that caused accident; they are also analysing the seriousness of the act. Issuing a statement, the company said that the SpaceX crew capsule has faced some failure as it was going through a number of engine tests. The initial tests were "completed successfully, but the final test resulted in an anomaly on the test stand."

The issue becomes more critical as the failure came at a time when the company hopes to start ferrying astronauts to the International space station by the end of this year under NASA’s "commercial crew program." Now, it looks like the dream is going to get delayed as the company is clueless on what might have caused the issue.

Some media reports claimed that a reddish smoke was seen in the sky from miles.

"Ensuring that our systems meet rigorous safety standards and detecting anomalies like this prior to flight are the main reasons why we test," SpaceX said in its statement. "Our teams are investigating and working closely with our NASA partners."

In a statement on Twitter, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said, "This is why we test. We will learn, make the necessary adjustments and safely move forward with our commercial crew program."

Earlier this year, SpaceX conducted a successful uncrewed test flight of its spacecraft, known as Crew Dragon, which flew to the space station, docked and then returned home.