Second Launch of "Falcon 1" A Partial Success
I just watched the live simulcast feed of the second launch attempt for SpaceX’s Falcon 1 rocket. This rocket is the “world’s first privately-funded liquid fueled orbital launch vehicle”. The launch appeared to be going as normal until the first stage seemed to scrape against the second-stage bell during separation. Shortly thereafter the rocket began to experience progressively worse oscillations until the feed (and in all likely hood the entire rocket) was lost. Still, the company is calling it “a very good day”.
I think this is just completely amazing. If private companies like SpaceX begin to venture into the space payload launches, like Scaled Composites and Virgin Galactic are moving into the manned space launch/tourism market, we will see some very amazing advances in technology in the not so distant future. Great job SpaceX!
You can watch a video of the launch here and view a “live-blogged” recap of today’s events here.
