Sad news for private space wonks – the maiden flight of SpaceX’s Falcon I was apparently a failure. Not much info yet, but Elon Musk posted the following to spacex.com –
We had a successful liftoff and Falcon made it well clear of the launch pad, but unfortunately the vehicle was lost later in the first stage burn. More information will be posted once we have had time to analyze the problem.
Watching the onboard camera, it does look like there is something flapping in the breeze, as it were. I think they were using insulating blankets for thermal control before launch, which could cause some fairly serious aerodynamic issues if they didn’t separate properly. However, the vehicle appears to be fairly stable although it’s obviously performing some pitch and roll maneuvering before there is a very brief flash. The LV very suddenly departs controlled flight, impacting with the ocean seconds later. No one ever said rocket science was easy – here’s hoping they get a handle on it and get back in the saddle as soon as they can.
Happier news from the Red Planet tonight, as Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter returned its first test images today. Check out this detail image, at a 2.49m/pixel resolution. Good stuff, can’t wait for more!
Back to your regularly scheduled electronic musicks later this weekend…
No truth to the rumor that Keith Cowing has started a new website called “SpaceXWatch”.
Static test firings are one thing; first flights are another. More often than not, they never work the first time. They’ve got some good people on that program, they’ll make it work…as long as the money doesn’t run out.