Third Time Satellite Success

[krpalmer]

Still getting emails from the Kennedy Space Center about rocket launches to view, I knew about another upcoming Falcon 9 launch. After hearing the first attempt had been called off, I decided to try and watch the official streaming video of the second attempt, which got to the dramatic moment of igniting the engines only for the flames to cough out at the last instant. I started wondering how long it would take to inspect the rocket as the official updates had said, and then looked for information online only to see the rocket had launched just hours before, getting the communications satellite on board all the way to geostationary orbit. (I suppose that at the time of the launch, I was out getting a flu shot I'd made an appointment for days before.)

The nervous feeling that for one of these rockets to explode would be particularly problematic now does leave me relieved every time another launch succeeds, although I suppose I can't say each success "saves up safety." However, knowing SpaceX is able to launch "commercial" satellites gives it a bit more scope than just sending cargo capsules to the space station.