SpaceX defended one of its rocket launches amid numerous reports indicating the launch was a failure. The company, led by business magnate and inventor Elon Musk, said the rocket "did everything correctly" during its launch last Sunday night (Jan. 7).
The Falcon 9 rocket launched on Sunday was carrying the classified intelligence satellite code-named Zuma. The mission overview reads, "SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket will deliver the Zuma spacecraft to orbit." The launch mission took place at the Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40), Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.
The payload satellite manufactured by Northrop Grumman Corporation was said to have never made it to orbit and came crashing down to the sea, according to reports. The Wall Street Journal publication also released an article of its own claiming the failure of the launch, titled "U.S. Spy Satellite Believed Lost After SpaceX Mission Fails."
SpaceX then clarified things. President of SpaceX Gwynne Shotwell said that the entire launch did everything right from stage 1 until the last stage. "For clarity: after review of all data to date, Falcon 9 did everything correctly on Sunday night. If we or others find otherwise based on further review, we will report it immediately. Information published that is contrary to this statement is categorically false. Due to the classified nature of the payload, no further comment is possible," Shotwell said in a statement.
SpaceX is now looking forward to the test-firing of its improved Falcon 9 rocket called the Falcon Heavy. The critical testing is expected to go down within this week. According to SpaceX, "When Falcon Heavy lifts off in 2018, it will be the most powerful operational rocket in the world by a factor of two. With the ability to lift into orbit over 54 metric tons (119,000 lb) -- a mass equivalent to a 737 jetliner loaded with passengers, crew, luggage, and fuel."
