Early review of data and debris from SpaceX's launch pad explosion suggests that a "large breach" took place in the helium system of the rocket's second-stage liquid oxygen tank, the space company said Friday.
The Hawthorne, Calif., space company said it still has not determined the root of the incident and that all "plausible causes" are being investigated.
"We will work to resume our manifest as quickly as responsible once the cause of the anomaly has been identified by the Accident Investigation Team," SpaceX said in a statement on its website. "Pending the results of the investigation, we anticipate returning to flight as early as the November timeframe."
SpaceX said it has ruled out any connection between the explosion three weeks ago and the June 2015 disintegration of a rocket laden with supplies for the International Space Station, an incident that was blamed on a failed strut assembly in the Falcon 9's second stage that was holding down a helium tank.
The fiery failure that occurred at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida is being investigated by SpaceX, with participation from NASA, the U.S. Air Force and other industry experts. It is being overseen by the Federal Aviation Administration.
"Getting back to flight safely and reliably is our top priority," SpaceX said on its website. "The data gathered from the present investigation will result in an even safer and more reliable vehicle for our customers and partners."
The explosion destroyed a Falcon 9 rocket and a communications satellite set to launch Sept. 3. SpaceX said the incident occurred while the rocket was being fueled ahead of a routine pre-launch static test fire.
On Friday, SpaceX said inspections of the company's Space Launch Complex 40, where the explosion occurred, show that "substantial areas" of the launch pad were affected.
However, the Falcon support building adjacent to the pad, as well as the tanks and plumbing that hold the super-chilled liquid oxygen and kerosene fuel farm were "unaffected."
The launch pad's control systems were also found to be in "relatively good condition," SpaceX said.
