NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine was cautious about commenting, coining the explosion an “anomaly” in a tweet released after the blast occurred. He said: ”This is why we test. We will learn, make the necessary adjustments and safely move forward with our Commercial Crew Program.”
The unconfirmed video, shared on Twitter and since deleted, appeared on Sunday and showed a severe explosion in the spacecraft.
But, the recent set back has not affected NASA’s plans to launch a cargo version of a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station next week.
During a previously scheduled media teleconference on April 22 about the upcoming NASA launch of the Dragon capsule to the International Space station, NASA spokesman Josh Finch announced that the cargo delivery mission using Space X’s Dragon Capsule would still go ahead.
The explosion, at SpaceX’s Landing Zone 1, produced a large cloud visible for miles and reportedly caused major damage to the Crew Dragon spacecraft.
READ MORE: SpaceX EXPLOSION: Watch SHOCKING footage of the Crew Dragon in flames
This was the same capsule that flew on a test flight to the ISS in March.
The crewed test flight will still happen, but due to investigations after the explosion, it will be delayed by several months.
Investigators need to be certain of the cause of the accident, and steps to remedy the problem.
Luckily, one was aboard the craft during the test.
SpaceX isn’t the only company working to build a viable spacecraft for crewed missions.
Boeing is due to launch its Starliner capsule uncrewed later this year.
However Boeing’s launch has faced its own delays.
Until one of these companies gets its crewed rockets working, NASA is stuck hitching rides for its astronauts to and from space on Russian Soyuz capsules.
