Fuck me they almost took out the other one on the pad with shrapnel flying all over, there should be a rule that bonus points are awarded if you pull off wrecking two rockets with one launch.
Looks like one engine decided it had had enough for today on the trip down.
I expect they'll get it to work somewhat reliably after enough crashes but I think convincing someone to ride in it might be another thing? Two engines go out doing that stunt and it bricks right into the ground and at that altitude there's not even enough time for the crew to blow a hatch and fling themselves out the door on a 'chute.
Though to be fair the Space Shuttle didn't have any good abort modes that could save the crew even in theory until SRB separation, either.
Bill Sloman wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@googlegroups.com:
He is an abject idiot.
America and private enterprise has been using Russian boost vehicles since the ending of the Space Shuttle Program. At a far cheaper cost than if we had made a new booster here.
The only place to get up to space, especially with heavy payloads, was Kazakhstan.
So Bitrex ain't too bright on some fronts.
I was there (read in the industry) and saw the launch of several satellites and I DO KNOW the reason Russia was utilized.
It cost far less, and the FACT that private enterprise is now in use proves it.
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