I didn’t know that Chinese rockets even had FTS. Looks more like a Max-Q failure to me.
[Update a few minutes later]
A Chinese CZ-7A was launched today from Wenchang, but the flight ended about ~80 seconds into the flight with an explosion. Reportedly it carried the military geostationary communications satellite ZX 4B.https://t.co/9J6Eo4VR9lpic.twitter.com/prMzeN2ofY
I wish they’d stop calling people supporting DSA “highly educated.” They’re not educated at all; they’re indoctrinated. Educated people, particularly those without college degrees, couldn’t possibly believe the kind of nonsense that they spout.
SPACEX: According to local reports, the final stages of a deal are in place for SpaceX to build the new spaceport on Pecan Island in Vermilion Parish, Louisiana, and Governor Jeff Landry is expected to make an announcement this month.
This is the kind of technology that (as it did as the NACA, before it became NASA) that NASA should have been prioritizing for decades. But it was more important to build a giant expendable rocket without a design reference mission.
I’d probably characterize it as “progress.” It was the goal, after all.
It was disappointing to lose the booster, but at the rate they’re building them, they can accomplish their mission goals without recovering them; it will just cost more. And I’m sure they’ll work out the final bugs.
[Late-morning update]
Time-lapse of today’s Starship flight, from liftoff to splashdown, in just 150 seconds. 🚀 pic.twitter.com/1jGFPK4CYV
I will note that SpaceX stock continues to decline, with a daily (and historic, for its short history) low today of $110.85, so everyone who bought at the IPO is currently underwater. But probably a buying opportunity now.