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“Earlier today, in McGregor, Texas, SpaceX conducted a test flight
of a three engine version of the F9R test vehicle (successor to
Grasshopper)," the privately owned company said.
"During the flight, an anomaly was detected in the vehicle and the
flight termination system automatically terminated the mission."
There were no injuries, SpaceX said, and the vehicle remained in its
designated flight area throughout the test and subsequent
termination.
“With research and development projects, detecting vehicle anomalies
during the testing is the purpose of the program," said the
statement from spokesman John Taylor.
The test was especially complex, "pushing the limits of the vehicle
further than any previous test," it added.
SpaceX will review flight record details and analyze its data ahead
of its next test, Taylor said.
(Editing by Chris Michaud)
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