The boffins at the KSC had learned from X-1 that our atmosphere can be a cruel mistress. The first attempt saw the rocket get torn to shreds by drag. Today, X-2 suffered quite the opposite: there simply was not enough air.
The launch for X-2 went smoothly. This time, however, the speed of the rocket was limited to 200m/s, and then only increased to 300m/s once the vehicle cleared ten-thousand meters.
'Everything was going as it should this time,' Gene Kerman said in a press release later. 'That was until X-2 crossed nineteen kilometers. The only method of control we have for the rocket is the fins. Above nineteen at 300m/s you may as well not have them at all. They're just ineffective.'
Mission control tried to regain control of the rocket for over a minute, but nothing worked and the engine had to be shut down with plenty of fuel left in the tank. X-2 fell back into the ocean at T+4:32, with the mission being branded as a partial-success at best.
I think it's going to be a late night for the staff at KSC.
X-2 at the launchpad
The launch for X-2 went smoothly. This time, however, the speed of the rocket was limited to 200m/s, and then only increased to 300m/s once the vehicle cleared ten-thousand meters.
'Everything was going as it should this time,' Gene Kerman said in a press release later. 'That was until X-2 crossed nineteen kilometers. The only method of control we have for the rocket is the fins. Above nineteen at 300m/s you may as well not have them at all. They're just ineffective.'
Mission control tried to regain control of the rocket for over a minute, but nothing worked and the engine had to be shut down with plenty of fuel left in the tank. X-2 fell back into the ocean at T+4:32, with the mission being branded as a partial-success at best.
I think it's going to be a late night for the staff at KSC.
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