Sometimes even the best laid plans of mice and men fail to produce the desired outcome. Such is no doubt the case with SpaceX's Falcon 1, which, despite a smooth launch that was webcast live, managed to explode over the Pacific Ocean in a spectacular display. One clue that something was wrong was stated on the website as follows:
20:38 PDT — We have heard from launch control that there has been an anomaly. More details will be posted to the website as available
The problem apparently was that the two stages failed to separate at about two minutes and 21 seconds into launch (the time where the video above abruptly stops). The time of the explosion was about 11:36 pm EDT. This is the third mishap for a SpaceX rocket (the others were in 2006 and 2007, no doubt making 2009 an anxious year), but billionaire backer Elon Mush has committed to two more rockets to prove that his company can become a reliable way to transport satellites to low Earth orbit.
The explosion claimed the rocket's payload, which included a Pentagon satellite called Trailblazer for the Operationally Responsive Space Office, two small NASA Satellites (including the solar sail NanoSail-D), and a micro laboratory called PRESat.
Star Trek Fans may be disheartened to learn that the ashes of actor James Doohan, who played Scotty, were lost in the explosion as well. The ashes were part of the payload to be shot off into space. (Being a Star Trek fan, I hate to see this happen. But I know that Scotty would understand that sometimes a price is paid for progress, and from what I've read I have no doubt that James Doohan would as well. Perhaps we can add his name to those who gave for the cause. )
Work continues on with Falcon 9, SpaceX's designated"Heavy lifter", and the Dragon, a human carrying rocket. I would imagine that tickets aboard the Dragon is starting to get a lot cheaper than were originally planned.
But I hope they can overcome the problems, I would love to see more private firms in the business of space. After all, it is 2008 and we STILL haven't had a manned team to Mars (or even a moonbase yet). If it is going to happen, it looks like private capital and associated efforts are going to have to do it. So, with that stated, I still think SpaceX needs kudos for launching the rocket as well as planning to go ahead with new efforts. But in all honesty I do want to see a few more runs before I buy a ticket.
