Amateur Rocket Launch a Failure; NASA Debuts Shuttle-cam

Anonymous Coward writes "CNN has posted the story of the failure of the amateur rocket launch that was reported in a previous Slashdot story. 'The launch was spectacular and the rocket was performing as planned. However, the rocket experienced motor failure during the flight and the flight was terminated," said Eric Knight, co-leader of the CSXT mission.' NASA is planning to mount a camera on the external fuel tank and broadcast an October 2nd shuttle launch.

Comments

Too Bad

[ShawnDoc]

Its too bad really, I'd have liked to see a private alternative to NASA. They've grown so bloated and unfocused they couldn't even pull off the space station properly.

Just look at the original proposal and plans, and look what they've cut it back to. All it is a big jobs project. And the Space Shuttle technology is so old they are having to scrounge eBay for old computer parts.

I'm sorry, but it just makes me sick. And we actually think NASA some day will send someone to Mars. Yeah right. We need someone to come along and either replace NASA entirely, or at the very least scare them into cutting back the beaurocracy and actually performing again.

Re:amateur rocketetry is irresponsible

[kindbud]

Pretty much the same thing that would happen if an aged driver had a heart attack and crashed his car into a Department of Motor Vehicles service facility.

Or if a restaurant exploded because of a faulty natural gas valve.

Or if an airliner had a mechanical problem that caused it to crash into a suburban neighborhood.

Or if a cosmetic medical device caused unforseen side effects later on.

Liability insurance, my man. Liability insurance.

Guess who doesn't have to have it: NASA
Guess who doesn't have to pay if they fuck up: NASA
Guess who picks up the tab if they do: you and me

Re:Who else wonders about sabotage?

[Paul Komarek]

"Rockets" are hard to get right. If they weren't, everyone would have ICBMs by now.

-Paul