With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today during our fall member drive.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Video: SpaceX Rocket Explodes Into Big Fireball After Failed Landing
SpaceX capped off yesterday's successful mission with some fireworks.
On Sunday, the Jason-3 satellite was launched into orbit by one of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rockets. That went off without a problem. The tricky part was attempting to land the rocket onto an unmanned barge floating 200 miles off the Southern California coast. As you can see in the above video, that did not go so well.
The booster manages to land upright onto the drone ship Just Read The Instructions (unlike a previous attempt that just came diving in), but after a brief moment tips over into a big, spectacular fireball. According to SpaceX's Elon Musk, a locking device failed to latch on to one of the rocket's legs, causing it to tip over. "Root cause may have been ice buildup due to condensation from heavy fog at liftoff," wrote Musk on Instagram.
Support for LAist comes from
First stage approaches center of landing droneship in Pacific pic.twitter.com/lI3q6LnwVP
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) January 18, 2016
Despite the ultimate failure, it's quite a feat that SpaceX came close to pulling off. According to ABC News the landing was so precise the rocket came within four feet of the ship's center, all while encountering heavy surf. Not bad for a rocket that just came in from space.
Last month, SpaceX successfully landed a Falcon 9 at Cape Canaveral, but onto solid ground. Musk says that landing rockets onto barges is necessary for missions that send satellites into higher orbits, like Jason-3. The extra fuel spent prevents them from returning to the launch site.
Just like previous crash landings, at least Musk had a sense of humor about it:
Well, at least the pieces were bigger this time! Won't be last RUD, but am optimistic about upcoming ship landing. pic.twitter.com/w007TccANJ
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 17, 2016
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Flauta, taquito, tacos dorados? Whatever they’re called, they’re golden, crispy and delicious. -
If California redistricts, the conservative beach town that banned LGBTQ Pride flags on city property would get a gay, progressive Democrat in Congress. -
Most survivors of January's fires face a massive gap in the money they need to rebuild, and funding to help is moving too slowly or nonexistent. -
Kevin Lacy has an obsession with documenting California’s forgotten and decaying places. -
Restaurants share resources in the food hall in West Adams as Los Angeles reckons with increasing restaurant closures. -
It will be the second national day of protest against President Donald Trump.
Best of LAist