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Lunar Lander Challenge Ends in Fire, Disappoinment

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the fire-go-boom-boom dept.

mikesd81 writes "The rocketeers at Armadillo Aerospace, thwarted by engine problems and other mechanical failures, left this year's X Prize Cup empty-handed after their spacecraft burst into flames on liftoff Sunday. An attempt on Sunday to hop from launch and landing pads ended with the MOD craft bursting in flames shortly after engine ignition. This is the team's second attempt at the challenge in New Mexico, they were the only entrant in last year's event, which they also lost. Brett Alexander, Executive Director of Space Prizes and the X Prize Cup relayed a comment from John Carmack, leader of the Armadillo team: "Today is officially a bad day when it comes to our vehicle." The last attempt to win the $350,000 Level 1 prize on Sunday ended when the MOD vehicle had an engine fire, with pieces coming off, including disconnected cabling. Clearly, there was a fire on the pad that burned for a while — but then went out. The Armadillo team called a safety emergency, requesting fire truck assistance, Alexander said."

1 of 123 comments (clear)

  1. Re:It really is rocket science... by DerekLyons · · Score: 0, Troll

    One thing few people realize is there have been nearly as many close-calls in the US space program.

    There haven't been anywhere near as many close calls in the US program as in the Soviet. (And your listing of close calls misses at least 2.)
     

    Everyone knows about Apollo 13, but the first shuttle launch had a near burn-through due to tiles that fell off during launch.

    False.
     

    Another shuttle flight had an engine shutdown due to a short circuit that left it in a low orbit.

    Not a close call, the crew was never in significant danger. The orbit, while low, was stable and well above atmospheric effects.
     
     

    Apollo 12 was hit by lightning. One of the Gemini flights went out of control and tumbled violently, nearly killing Neil Armstrong and David Scott. The Mercury 4 capsule had a hatch blow prematurely on splash down and sank as Gus Grissom scrambled to escape.

    Three real ones - one more than you missed on your list of Soviet/Russian ones. (Though there are a few that arguably don't belong on that list - your definition is somewhat elastic.)