Private rocket fails to reach space (Reuters/CNN)

[eppur_se_muova]

TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES, New Mexico (Reuters) -- A commercial rocket blasted off from a site in New Mexico on Monday, but malfunctioned
before it reached space, organizers said.

The UP Aerospace SpaceLoft XL rocket blasted off from Spaceport America, a remote desert launch site near the town of Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, but slewed off course 40,000 feet (12,190 meters) above ground due to a malfunction.

"Because of an unexpected aerodynamic effect, the vehicle was short of its effected range, it went to an altitude of 40,000 feet," a mission director said over a public address system said.
***
http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/space/09/25/rocket.failure.reut/index.html

[Johonny]

1. makes me sick

Private companies should not be allowed to launch solid rocket motors through the stratosphere. Launching solid rockets through the stratosphere can be justified for systems that save lives, like launching GPS or weather satellites. Not so a private company can put grandma's remains in near Earth orbit.

[rman]

2. why?

[Johonny]

3. Ozone

solid rocket motors release inorganic chlorine into the stratosphere. This chlorine destroys the ozone layer. While the destruction of ozone from one small rocket launch like this is not that great, I can not justify the destruction of ANY ozone for these business reasons:

• Novelty items in space?
• Commemorative merchandise?
• Create a high-flying billboard?
• TV commercial centerpiece?
• New product "launch"?