Falcon 1 is going to try for orbit this evening. The launch will be broadcast live. This is groundbreaking first. If it succeeds, the Falcon 1 would be the first rocket from the new space industry to make orbit.
SpaceX also just successfully test-fired the Falcon 9, a much heavier and more capable rocket.
I’ll probably move this link to the sidebar later, so don’t make any comments you’re too attached to.
If you can’t get the webcast in Internet Explorer, try Firefox.
The liftoff was exciting and the video from the rocket showing the receding atoll and surrounding was beautiful. Unfortunately, the webcast ceased abruptly and a somber note was posted indicating that an anomaly was experienced about T+140s, shortly after switching to the initial guidance system.
http://www.spacex.com/updates.php
http://www.spaceflightnow.com/falcon/003/
Inertial?
The video doesn’t seem available at the the SpaceX site, but there’s a nice version on YouTube.
Problem figured out:
http://www.transterrestrial.com/archives/2008/08/that_was_quick_1.html#comments
The bad: it was a dumb mistake.
The good: Its easy to fix.