Does NASA really suck?

[Cyclone42]

This private company named Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (or SpaceX for short) has had its third launch failure in a row. I guess launching rockets into orbit is not all that easy after all.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/03/science/space/03launchweb.html?ref=science

 

[Phaedrus]

Here's a look at the Merlin engine that powers the first stage:



Though the problem might be the Kestrel second-stage rocket.

Interestingly, they've picked WWII British Aircraft Engine names for their rocket motors.

For those too busy to Google:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falcon_1