[101404]

They are rapidly iterating through SN versions. This kind of thing is expected to happen.

This one was SN1. SN2 already has "better welds" (Musk tweet from some days ago). They built a welding system that better fits their needs and should produce much stronger welds. So this explosion just shows that that was probably a good idea.

See more rockets blow up over the next 20 iterations. Plan is SN1 to SN20.

[refulgentis]

It wasn't supposed to explode. The first one wasn't supposed to explode either.

[101404]

It wasn't the plan, but it was always a possibility. That's why they changed the welding equipment some days ago, because the current welds aren't good enough.

At a US Air Force event yesterday, Musk said that currently they are focusing primarily on production equipment and methods, not so much on the actual rocket.

[refulgentis]

Ah Elon, you always have an excuse