WE could feel the rumble over here in Daytona, sucks as yet another expensive setback.http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/06/28/spacex-capsule-watch-live_n_7681504.html
oddds on them losing their NASA contract? isn't this like the third failed mission in a row?
I don't believe so. They've tried to land a rocket vertically on a barge that's failed a few times, but that was a long shot anyways and the missions themselves were a success.
I really winced when I saw it happen, watching live. SpaceX is my leading employer prospect when my enlistment is up and I hate to see anything negative happen to them. However, this is space flight and it's a dangerous game. I immediately thought of a Boeing rep who said to Koenigsman about the docking adapter "Take good care of it" and was like "way to jinx it, pal."
Looking at the video, it does look like an upper stage failure. Although, something about the flight from the start looked odd to me. It seemed like a slow lift off from the pad. That doesn't support the upper stage failure theory, but it was worth noting and I've seen where others noticed it too. Normally Falcon 9's take off with some decent gusto.
There should be a simple thread titled "SpaceX rocket explodes____________" so each
time it occurs you just update the specifics.
"Interests: Designing rockets that don't explode unexpectedly."If you are a rocket scientist, that probably increased your odds of getting hired.
Yup, looks like a tank or structural failure.
Edit: Butch, I like your avatar.
I don't suppose any organization is investigating something like SpaceShipOne's approach: Use a jet to lift the rocket through the thickest part of the atmosphere, and then rocket into space. My understanding is that our current method is not terribly efficient with regards to fuel requirement, as the thing needs to ascend without the lifting assistance of all this handy air that's available; rather, it has to ascend against the air's resistance.
(It wouldn't necessarily solve this particular problem, but it sounds like it'd be generally beneficial.)
"Interests: Designing rockets that don't explode unexpectedly."
Yes, I know.It is a private corporation just as an aside.
I'm not sure "our" is involved.