Southpaw018 - Slashdot User

Comment Re:Why pre-order...? (Score 1) 397

by Southpaw018 on Saturday November 01, 2008 @08:03PM (#25598755) Attached to: <em>Fallout 3</em> Launches Amidst Controversy

...I could have sworn I saw an ad for that. Maybe I'm confusing it with something else recently that did.

In any case, thank you for correcting me. :)

Submission + - SpaceX Celebrates Launch of Falcon 1

Submitted by iamlucky13 on Tuesday March 20, 2007 @10:19PM

iamlucky13 writes: Barely under a year since a fuel leak doomed their first launch, upstart aerospace company SpaceX has cleared the ground a second time with their Falcon 1 rocket. The flight proceeded smoothly until a roll control issue caused premature engine shutdown and loss of telemetry at T plus 5:05. News is currently limited to brief mission status reports. Although the ultimate fate of the rocket and payload are unknown, the company appears pleased with preliminary performance indications. "We in the Washington, D.C. office are celebrating with champagne," said company VP Gwynne Shotwell. "We don't have any information yet from the launch control center, but the Falcon clearly got to space with a successful liftoff, stage separation, second stage ignition and fairing separation."

The flight of the $7 million rocket was to demonstrate its capabilities for DARPA and included two NASA experiments. CEO Elon Musk noted many improvements had been made since the first launch attempt, and has cited similar challenges in the development of other rocket systems. A launch attempt yesterday was scrubbed to resolve telemetry issues with just 62 seconds left. Today's countdown was kept exciting by an automated abort after engine ignition due to marginal chamber pressure. The countdown was restarted after refueling the rocket, with launch at 01:10 GMT from the Kwajalein Atoll in the Pacific.

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