For the third time in three attempts private space company SpaceX has attempted to launch it's Falcon 1 rocket and failed. "It was obviously a big disappointment not to reach orbit on this flight," said Elon Musk, founder of SpaceX in a message to his staff. "On the plus side, the flight of our first stage, with the new Merlin 1C engine that will be used in Falcon 9, was picture perfect. Unfortunately, a problem occurred with stage separation, causing the stages to be held together." The Falcon 1 was carrying Trailblazer, a small satellite built by the Pentagon, a mini-laboratory called PreSat and a 10-sq-m Solar sail, both built by Nasa. SpaceX is being viewed by NASA as a viable alternative to fill the mission gap that will exist as the space agency decommissions the current shuttle fleet and builds it's replacement. BBC Story here.
