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Experimental Air Force Rocket Launch Fails (theverge.com)

schwit1 writes: An experimental Air Force rocket, dubbed Super Strypi, failed seconds after launch. The launch was part of the Air Force's Operationally Responsive Space (ORS)-4 mission which aims to test small alternative launch vehicles. The Verge reports: "A small, experimental rocket meant to carry 13 communication satellites into space for the Department of Defense failed just one minute after launching from Hawaii last night, according to the US Air Force. Video footage of the event shows the rocket spiraling out of control as it falls back down to Earth, leaving a crooked contrail in its wake. This was the first flight ever for this kind of vehicle — known as a Super Strypi rocket — as well as the first rocket launch attempt from the Hawaiian Islands."

60 comments

  1. Did they forget to calibrate by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    their private 3D rocket printer?

  2. Why a experimental launch carried 13 satellites? by laserhead · · Score: 1

    Why a experimental launch carried 13 satellites?

  3. Re:Why a experimental launch carried 13 satellites by rockout · · Score: 3, Informative

    "meant" to carry.

    I know no one RTFA, but at least RTFS

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  4. Re: Why a experimental launch carried 13 satellite by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Your trolling right?

  5. Another view... by bswarm · · Score: 2

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?... Shows a heck of a spin during accent.

    1. Re:Another view... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Interesting

      The rocket spins like that during the ascent for stability. When I saw the footage, I thought that it might not be spinning fast enough. This rocket did not have a guidance system. Have a look at a sounding rocket spinning during the ascent:

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTfgOYb1Fn8

    2. Re:Another view... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Yeah, it literally says IN THE VIDEO HE LINKED that it's spin stabilized. For those who don't know, spinning something puts energy into an object without changing the trajectory. More energy means it's harder to change direction. That's why rifled bullets spin.

    3. Re:Another view... by bughunter · · Score: 2

      Yea, but this one started precessing wildly at about 0:48.

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    4. Re:Another view... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      That's what I saw too. A slow spin is OK for stability but when it gets too fast it'll start to wobble from a wind gust.

    5. Re:Another view... by KingMotley · · Score: 1

      And to explain it using a car analogy, it looked like someone forgot to turn off the emergency brake on the left side of the car.

  6. Re:Why a experimental launch carried 13 satellites by ShanghaiBill · · Score: 0

    Why a experimental launch carried 13 satellites?

    It is designed to carry satellites. It was not carrying any for this launch.

    There is something odd here. The summary contains quite a bit of information that is NOT in TFA. Some of it is just wrong: This is not the first rocket launch from Hawaii. Dozens of USAF rockets have been launched from Hawaii. But other information seems to contradict TFA. The summary says "seconds into the flight" but TFA says "mid-flight".

  7. Re:Why a experimental launch carried 13 satellites by sexconker · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Failure of the rocket that was "meant to carry 13 communication satellites into space" does not mean that it wasn't carry those 13 communication satellites.
    It means that it did not carry them into space.

    Whether or not it carried them at all is not stated.

  8. Re:Why a experimental launch carried 13 satellites by AHuxley · · Score: 1

    Think of the low, low prices on that one time deal per weight and secrecy.
    Or wait for a commercial Russian rocket import that works, has a US private sector costs and has more contractors looking over the project.

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  9. Re:Why a experimental launch carried 13 satellites by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    What is also not stated is whether it was capable of carrying any more or fewer than precisely 13 satellites.

  10. Re: Why a experimental launch carried 13 satellite by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    He's trolling on his left, too.

  11. A bit of clarification by amacbride · · Score: 5, Informative

    The rocket was in fact carrying satellites -- a large primary payload (HawaiiSat-1), and a number of small CubeSats.

    http://www.hsfl.hawaii.edu/wor...

    The SuperStrypi is an evolved variant of a spin-stabilized 1960s sounding rocket, so the axial spin is expected, though the anomaly that ultimately doomed the mission was not!

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...

    Disclaimer: I helped port some code to run on the system board of one the CubeSats. Let's just say it was a disappointing afternoon....

    1. Re:A bit of clarification by AHuxley · · Score: 1

      Whats going more wrong more often per design? Is the US just always trying new, cheaper, faster build methods or have too many advance skills be lost in some sectors per decade?
      Are the existing fast acceleration profiles even that good for some very hand crafted, bespoke satellite?
      Can the new emerging US private sector do intelligence payloads soon? Getting certification soon?
      A titanium science gap? Or some industrial wide issue for the type of rockets needed? The big nosecone with fast speed and huge acceleration profiles is fine just the new rocket ideas are an issue?

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    2. Re:A bit of clarification by khallow · · Score: 2

      Whats going more wrong more often per design? Is the US just always trying new, cheaper, faster build methods or have too many advance skills be lost in some sectors per decade? Are the existing fast acceleration profiles even that good for some very hand crafted, bespoke satellite?

      New rockets always have a high failure rate. If it's still failing often after the fifth or sixth launch, then it's a problem.

      Can the new emerging US private sector do intelligence payloads soon?

      They've been doing them since oh, 1986 or so. The current launch provider is the United Launch Alliance which operates the Atlas V and Delta IV rocket systems though I believe SpaceX may be close to launching some military payloads on Falcon 9.

    3. Re:A bit of clarification by peragrin · · Score: 1

      Shove a firecracker up your ass and light it. see how easy it is to survive that.

      rockets are an extremely dangerous method of launching into space. right now it is our only practical method. until we get a single stage to orbit engine(maybe sabre) every new rocket will show us new ways to fail spectacularly.

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    4. Re:A bit of clarification by AHuxley · · Score: 1

      re "operates the Atlas V and Delta IV rocket systems" thats more of the builders and US gov setting up a site to work on government space launch services ie they all have the needed paper work going back a while been more a joint venture of existing systems.
      The decrease launch costs, domestic consideration of the Russian RD-180 engine that works well is also a factor.
      It will be interesting to see the new private sector offerings vs the costs of the old but now cheaper rebranded joint venture efforts :) Certification soon :)

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    5. Re:A bit of clarification by AHuxley · · Score: 2

      Yes the single stage to orbit has an interesting history. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...
      Some new attempts with balloon-launched and other methods :)

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  12. "Super Stripey" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    That's how I read that. Did a general's mentaly-deficient child get to name it?

  13. Re: Why a experimental launch carried 13 satellite by fisted · · Score: 1

    Yes. Constitutionally granted.

  14. Hmmmmm by JustAnotherOldGuy · · Score: 2

    So they're saying that it....went off the rails?

    No need to get up, I'll see myself out.

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  15. Aim higher! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    USAF failed? No shit, Sherlock.

    Gotta admit, though, they've done a good job figuring out how to fit runways around the golf course on air force bases.

  16. Re:Why a experimental launch carried 13 satellites by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Wrong. It was indeed carrying those satellites https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SPARK_(rocket)

  17. Re:Why a experimental launch carried 13 satellites by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Probably just some student built microsats, not billion dollar spy satelites.

  18. /sigh by Ahnahmoley · · Score: 1

    "An experimental Air Force rocket, dubbed Super Strypi, failed seconds after launch." Everywhere in the article it doesn't list in seconds but "a minute." HEY, ASSHOLES, QUIT WITH YOUR SENSATIONALISM. THIS IS NEWS FOR NERDS NOT GULLIBLE HOUSEWIVES.

    1. Re:/sigh by pushing-robot · · Score: 1

      You'll be dead in seconds. Probably a lot of seconds, but it can definitely be measured in those units.

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    2. Re: /sigh by Ahnahmoley · · Score: 1

      *woosh* They mixed measurements, friend. I recognize they can be converted, my post even included why they did what they did for you. Are you daft?

    3. Re:/sigh by robi5 · · Score: 2

      This. It's not even more sensational if it fails after 'seconds' rather than in a minute, so this is probably a routine journo hyperbole, the problem is, as you say, that they write without considering the target audience (i.e. they don't give a shit about them).

    4. Re:/sigh by tomhath · · Score: 1

      It did indeed fail in seconds, somewhere between 30 and 35 seconds into the flight if you bother to watch the video. The article should have said "in less than a minute". GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT, ASSHOLE.

  19. Video by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The prospect of seeing the video enticed me to click the link for the article.

  20. Re:Why a experimental launch carried 13 satellites by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    It's implied from the "Experimental Launch" statement. Also no reports of lost satellites.

  21. Re:Why a experimental launch carried 13 satellites by mwehle · · Score: 4, Funny

    Also left unstated was whether these would be African or European satellites.

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  22. Re:Why a experimental launch carried 13 satellites by roger10-4 · · Score: 2

    At least one satellite was lost. It was developed by the University of Hawaii @ Manoa (see this article).

  23. USA #1 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    back to your trampolines!

  24. Re:Why a experimental launch carried 13 satellites by Ol+Olsoc · · Score: 1

    "meant" to carry.

    I know no one RTFA, but at least RTFS

    Oh crap, I RTFA. Most appy lolly gees.

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  25. Re:Why a experimental launch carried 13 satellites by Ol+Olsoc · · Score: 1

    The summary says "seconds into the flight" but TFA says "mid-flight".

    Many hundreds of seconds

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  26. If at first you don't succeed... by EzInKy · · Score: 2

    ...try try again! It often takes many failures to achieve success. Edison experienced many disappointments before who chanced on a practical light bulb design.

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    Time is what keeps everything from happening all at once.
    1. Re:If at first you don't succeed... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And since it's the military they have unlimited budget, unlike NASA, so there's no need to get it right in the first time.

    2. Re:If at first you don't succeed... by EzInKy · · Score: 1

      Pretty damn close to spot on. Though nobody's budget is unlimited, the bigger and more affluent the society the more financial risks it can afford.

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      Time is what keeps everything from happening all at once.
  27. African or European by leftover · · Score: 1

    Well-played Sir!

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  28. Re: Why a experimental launch carried 13 satellite by Deadstick · · Score: 1

    Tell me you're not a tailor.

  29. Obviously... by SeeLukeBair · · Score: 1

    ...needs more struts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

  30. Re:Why a experimental launch carried 13 satellites by gstoddart · · Score: 1

    Yes, but African satellites are non-migratory.

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    Lost at C:>. Found at C.
  31. Re:Why a experimental launch carried 13 satellites by bughunter · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Experimental rockets often carry payloads, in fact it's better if they do because a) they don't have to carry ballast in order to mimic operational weight and CG, and b) they can partially defray the costs of the development program and launch campaign.

    Not that they charge much, and the payloads are not often insured, so it's usually University and High School and NGO satellites or experiments. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if the space was donated.

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  32. Turn Off Cell Phone Devices by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    See? SEE???!! They told you and told you, turn off your cell phone devices!

  33. Re:Why a experimental launch carried 13 satellites by bughunter · · Score: 3, Informative

    Also, TFS should have specified it was the first *orbital* rocket launch from Hawaii.

    (I've launched suborbitals from Barking Sands myself... it's usually used to send missiles towards Kwajalein, either to test an ICBM vehicle, or to launch targets for missile defense tests.)

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  34. Why are the airforce wasting more money? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    They've already put the country in debt with their F35 project, why are they doing space programs as well. Fucking waste of money.

  35. Re:Why a experimental launch carried 13 satellites by KGIII · · Score: 1

    You just called African satellites the N word. ;-)

    --
    "So long and thanks for all the fish."
  36. CDE? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I've been wondering recently when we'd see evidence of a CDE. The PDE (Aurora) must have panned out well enough for this next gen rocket technology to be constructed.
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...

  37. Re:Why a experimental launch carried 13 satellites by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Are they the rocket scientists who say "Ni" ?

  38. Re:Why a experimental launch carried 13 satellites by kaiser423 · · Score: 1

    Space has gotten cheap enough now that it's not incredibly uncommon for High Schools to build cube and micro sats as a project. Most Universities have quite a few cubesats sitting on the shelf that we built as a class project. Many of these will never see space, so if you get a chance to slap it on an experimental rocket, it's better to potentially go down in a blaze of glory than get tossed into the trash in two years to make space for the next class's cubesat build.

  39. Re:Why a experimental launch carried 13 satellites by MachineShedFred · · Score: 0

    And if you read the article, you'll see that the Air Force knew of a flaw in the upper stage motor, but wanted to launch anyway to get data from the first stage.

    Why would they load it up with shitloads of satellites when they know it will never leave the atmosphere? Answer: they wouldn't, and didn't.

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  40. Re:Why a experimental launch carried 13 satellites by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Roger the Shrubber endorses this thread

  41. Re: Why a experimental launch carried 13 satellite by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    ??

    "you're not a tailor"

    feel better now?

  42. Re:Why a experimental launch carried 13 satellites by EndlessNameless · · Score: 1

    Experimental launches do not include actual payload.

    They should (and probably did) include mass to simulate the presence of a payload, but there is no way they put multi-million dollar satellites into an experimental vehicle.

    Look at the history of the most successful rocket programs, and you will see an enormous number of failed experiments. They know this stuff tends to go boom.

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  43. Re:Why a experimental launch carried 13 satellites by EndlessNameless · · Score: 1

    Nevermind previous. Read the DISA writeup linked in the article, this was actually an operational mission.

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