Briefs: Falcon in the bright lights; Shuttle extension

Yesterday's first attempt by SpaceX to carry out the Falcon 9 pad test firing sure is getting a lot of attention, e.g. see the many links about it at spacetoday.net. Comments on the articles are pretty amazing. The bumps and hiccups that routinely occur in the course of developing a brand new system don't usually take place in a spotlight in front of a huge crowd. In this case, much of the crowd reminds me of the fans of an opposing team who cheer and jeer, whoop and holler at the slightest miscue by the visiting team, even during the pre-game warmup. One can only imagine the joy and celebration that will erupt if the F9 fails to get to orbit. There will probably be rioting in Titusville...
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More about the efforts to extend the Shuttle program a bit longer: Hanging on to the shuttle - Space Politics

Posted 03/10/10 | 12:03:15 by TopSpacer | Filed under: Space policy

Comments

<quote>The bumps and hiccups that routinely occur in the course of developing a brand new system don't usually take place in a spotlight in front of a huge crowd. In this case, much of the crowd reminds me of the fans of an opposing team who cheer and jeer, whoop and holler at the slightest miscue by the visiting team, even during the pre-game warmup. </quote>
...unless you're NASA

Posted by Sean at 03/10/10 16:21:18

When your job seems to be dependent upon SpaceX failing? I wouldn't be surprised if they are breaking into the launch complex and putting sand into the fuel tanks.

Posted by anon at 03/10/10 19:54:13

Not that it would help them much.

Even if SpaceX quietly folded its tents and went away, it does not at all follow that things would go back to 'the way we were.'

The spotlight would likely just shift to ULA instead. (and they'll get involved eventually, anyway)

Posted by Frank Glover at 03/11/10 03:06:11

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