Merlin turbopump bearing spall detected post-static fire

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team@spacex.demo · 2026-05-15 · ISS-SPAX-0007

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Last updated2026-05-28 10:00

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Post-static-fire teardown of Merlin 1D+ engine SN-4472 revealed spalling on #3 turbopump bearing. Engine grounded pending root cause.

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sam.torres@spacex.demo2026-05-22 10:00

Metallurgy points at lubrication film breakdown during the extended chill-in. No other engine shows the same borescope signature. Recommending a flight-15 borescope interval rather than a fleet stand-down.

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