In mid-2020, Space X Falcon 9 rocket was launched by NASA, and the importance of the Falcon Nine is that it’s the first commercial rocket ever to launch humans to orbit and is currently the only vehicle capable of doing so. Even now, various parties are talking about the launching of this rocket. However, some social media posts about this are misleading the viewers. Below is our investigation of such misleading videos.
Social Media Posts
A social media post tried to convince the public that a mouse was moving here and there near the rocket engine after some time of launch.
Users commented on it.
We decided to do a fact-check on it.
Fact Check
From the Invid – We Verify technique, we found an original video related to this incident in 2020. It`s a lively broadcast by C- SPAN Network, and the video is available on YouTube. The duration of the video is more than 4 hours. In one instance of the video, at 4 hours, 13 minutes, and 5 seconds, we can see some objects moving here and there on the rocket’s outside surface.
The related point of the video can be watched below.
However, the viral social media posts’ nature differs from the original video. The original video shows a moving object; we can`t see it as a rat. However, we can see a rat in a viral video on social media. So, it`s most likely digitally altered or manipulated. And the viral video can be considered as the zoomed version of the original video also.
Can a Mouse Survive Outside of the Rocket?
It isn’t peculiar. At the time of launch that the movement is shown, the Falcon 9 rocket is going over 1500 mph, according to NASA. The astronauts, at that point, are feeling over 2gs of pulling Earth. The astronauts can survive this force because they are on the rocket, strapped in, and wearing a protective G-suit to prevent them from losing consciousness. These details can be taken from hearing the live commentary of the video.
Meanwhile, Mechanical Engineer Brook Davenport told Misbar that “What was seen on the video was most likely condensation forming from a super cold liquid near a scorching engine. The surface tension of the liquid probably helped it form into a ball shape and then look like a mouse.” The related article can be read here. Archived
What is the Moving Object in the Original Video, then?
There are many explanations for it. However, no single exact reason has been found so far. According to some researchers, it was merely crystallised waste from the rocket engine and evaporated shortly after its appearance. More details about it can be read here. Archived.
But, some explanations say it`s a solid oxygen and say also that the speed of the original video was accelerated when the viral social media video was created while zooming in the original video.More deatails about it can read here. Archived
Why Is this Falcon 9 Mission Launch Important?
Falcon 9 is the first reusable rocket; the concept of reusable rockets is very important for space exploration.I here,the organizations don`t have to discard the rocket after one use. It paves the way for more efficient and cost effective space exploration. The Falcon 9 has already been used to launch several satellites and payloads into orbit, and its potential applications in the future space exploration activities and for other projects are limitless. More details can be read here
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Conclusion
Our investigation found that the viral video depicting the mouse moving here and there on the outer surface is digitally manipulated and not natural. In the original video, there is an unclear moving object, and some researchers say it depicts crystalised waste from the rocket`s engine. However, there is still no conclusion about it. But, it’s improbable that a living animal can survive outside the rocket due to the circumstances.
Title:Did A Rat Move On the Space X Falcon 9 Engine On Its Way to Space?
Written By: Kalana KrishanthaResult: Misleading
