Space Highs and Lows

The third attempt by SpaceX to launch its Falcon 1 rocket ended in failure with an anomaly that occurred around the time of stage 1/2 separation. Company founder Elon Musk said in a statement that SpaceX had recently acquired "a significant investment" and vowed that the company's space efforts would continue.

There should be absolutely zero question that SpaceX will prevail in reaching orbit and demonstrating reliable space transport. For my part, I will never give up and I mean never.

The Falcon 1 setback came after a week of positive space developments including SpaceX's successful full nine-engine static test of it's larger Falcon 9 booster configuration.

Other significant developments last week included the roll-out of Virgin Galactic's White Knight 2, the giant carrier plane for the SpaceShipTwo commercial suborbital spaceplane now under development, and the demonstration of 'Rocket Racing' at the Oshkosh, Wisconsin air show this week.

Finally, the not-surprising but very significant confirmation of water on Mars by NASA's Phoenix lander. Apparently, there have been more intriguing discoveries soon to be made public, on which the White House has already been briefed.