SpaceX Faces Strike 3 On Third Falcon 1 Launch Failure

SpaceX, the space start-up founded by PayPal co-founder Elon Musk, hit another snag last night when the third launch of their Falcon 1 rocket failed to reach orbit. This follows previous failures that include an in-flight explosion and another failure to reach orbit with the Falcon 1. If you're a nerd like me and you were watching the live webcast, you noticed that around 2 minutes and 20 seconds into the flight the live video feed was cut. Allegedly the two stages of the Falcon 1 failed to separate after stage 1 burnout. SpaceX hasn't released whether or not the 2nd stage ignited while still attached to the 1st stage, but that would have been an interesting sight. Either way, this setback is a disappointment to Musk and SpaceX though Musk seemed confident in the performance of the 1st stage. Not one to give up, Musk is ready to press on with plans for flight number 4 of the Falcon 1 rocket amidst another investigation as to why number 3 failed to reach orbit. The two stage liquid oxygen and kerosene launch vehicle was carrying two small NASA satellites during the unsuccessful launch from Omelek Island of the Kwajalein Atoll in the Pacific Ocean. Number 4's flight was originally scheduled to take place by the end of this month, but we will have to watch to see how the investigation of number 3 plays into that schedule.

(Space.com)
Photo courtesy of SpaceX

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