Classified satellite fell into ocean after SpaceX launch, official confirms

[Mr. Sparkle]

Source: ABC News

A highly classified satellite launched by SpaceX this weekend ended up plummeting into the Indian Ocean, a U.S. official confirmed to ABC News. Following its launch from Florida's Cape Canaveral Sunday night, the satellite, codenamed Zuma, failed to remain in orbit, the official said.

Northrop Grumman, the defense contractor that manufactured the payload -- reportedly a billion-dollar spy satellite -- told ABC News its mission is classified and declined to comment on the loss of the satellite.

But SpaceX suggested that it was not at fault, telling ABC News its rocket, named Falcon 9, "did everything correctly." "The data reviewed so far indicates that no design, operational, or other changes are needed," SpaceX president Gwynne Shotwell said in a statement.



Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/US/classified-satellite-fell-ocean-spacex-launch-official-confirms/story?id=52246100

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There is speculation that Northrop Grumman built the release mechanism rather than use the one from spacex, and that this may have been the cause of failure.

[Phoenix61]

2. That'll be a heck of a pissing contest

as they point fingers at each other over whose to blame.

[WheelWalker]

3. Insurance lawyers make bank on loss.

[forgotmylogin]

4. Welcome to the commercial space age. (n/t)

[nitpicker]

5. They'll just set up other deals

As they chug their coffees.

[truthisfreedom]

6. Bummer for Elon. I hope theres no pissing match.

[2naSalit]

7. If it was a highy

classified satellite, I think it might be a good thing that it is at the bottom of the ocean. I don't trust that sort of thing.

[docgee]

8. Suuuuuuurrrre it did.

[lagomorph777]

9. Well, all the major players keep radar inventory of everything in space.

So either it's there, or it's not.

However, if it was intended to drop out of orbit, that's a different matter....