Earlier today, in McGregor, Texas, SpaceX conducted a test flight of a three-engine version of the F9R test vehicle (successor to Grasshopper)...During the flight, an anomaly was detected in the vehicle and the flight termination system automatically terminated the mission...Throughout the test and subsequent flight termination, the vehicle remained in the designated flight area. There were no injuries or near injuries. An FAA representative was present at all times.
The Falcon 9 is scheduled to launch the Dragon with another set of supplies to the International Space Station on September 19th. There is no reason to believe this test of a new system will impact the planned launch for NASA. I should add that SpaceX has plenty of good news to report, as reported in the press releases on its website earlier today (see below), and yet is strangely silent on this latest incident.
- August 6: SpaceX Launches Asiasat 8 Telecommunications Satellite to GTO
- July 31: SpaceX Launches 3D-Printed Part to Space, Creates Printed Engine Chamber
- July 14: Falcon 9 Launches ORBCOMM OG2 Satellites to Orbit
NASA and others did not get where they are without costly losses. This is part of the process. Let's just hope Congress understands this as well.
Update: SpaceX was back in business on September 7 with the successful launch of an AsiaSat 6 communications satellite from Cape Canaveral.
