The Laughing Wolf

X-Prize Attempt Underway

FNC is doing some lame coverage, but at least it is live. The studio person seems determined to show "balance" by getting into all the negatives. Anti-NASA, more about passion than money, etc. One of the things dragged up is the chance of disaster and death.

It will happen. Deal with it. In pursuit of any new venture, any new opportunity, any new frontier, there will be setbacks, destruction, and death. Risk is a part of life, and NASA has quite a few names on the wall. There are many more around the world. The current zero-defect/perfect safety crowd would end all advancement because there is no advancement in any area without risk.

Yes, we will lose people. We will lose craft. And we will move forward.

Launch. Nice, good music, wish the studio anchor had shut up as she promised. She lied. Then again, she is a broadcast journalist, so why am I not surprised she lied?

BTW, launch delayed because of winds. More later when it reaches separation altitude.

FNC studio anchor really seems obsessed with the risk.

1110 hours: Launch! Beautiful start, but craft is now spinning on its way up. Interesting. Really more of a roll around the long axis than a spin. Looks like it is stabilized. Good image on Fox, reportedly a camera attached to a telescope.

1113 hours: At height? That is announcement, no confirmation.

1116 hours: On the way back home. Things look really good, stable, nice images. FNC continues to hit on the risk.

1120 hours: Reports now that engine had to cut off early because of the roll. Thought it had gone out early, but was not sure.

FNC really has the bit in its teeth over risk. For the umpteenth time in the coverage they have brought up that civilians will die, it will hurt government funding of space efforts, etc. Asked and answered, by multiple guests. Some small bits of good info, but a lot of blather and poor reporting/info too.

Really want to know more about the roll. That is troubling, even though it was dealt with. Still a few bugs in the system, but not surprising given all.

Bloody hell will FNC give it a rest? We know, we know it is dangerous and that it is landing as a glider. Really don't think the touchdown is the most dangerous part no matter what they say. Think the most dangerous time was on the ride up, not the landing. Yes, it is gliding but that is why they are where they are. Pilot deserves kudos for all he has handled.

1133: Touchdown!

Looking forward to hearing from real experts about the roll, most especially the pilot. May hit mute until then, but if FNC keeps on as it has they will blather over it all.

Think the reported repeat attempt on Monday will depend on a lot, including exactly what was going on with the roll. If all goes well, and the roll is not a real bad problem, would not be surprised if they don't try for Monday. They have two weeks, so will see.

Really do wish CSPAN or someone would do straight coverage, no blather, for the Ansari flights. Actually, really wish I could have been there today for this.

Short version is that the door is indeed kicked open. The first two flights have shown that private enterprise can make it up and back, even if not smoothly. Then again, the start of any new industry is never smooth. You can look to coaches, ships, and even the airline industry. Smooth was not the goal, just showing it could be done was enough for now. Smoothness will come with time, experience, and with competition. All that needs to happen for now is smooth enough to get up there and back in reasonably good shape. Even if the next flight is not smooth, the door is still open to real space commercialization. It will take a literal act of Congress to close it now.

Some good commentary on the roll issue, as expected, is up at Transterrestrial Musings.