[3/22/07] Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) labeled the March 20 launch of its Falcon 1 rocket a success even though the vehicle did not reach orbit.

The second test flight of the Falcon 1 was deemed “pretty good” by CEO Elon Musk, even though it was lost minutes after launch from the Marshall Islands.

"Given that the primary objectives were demonstrating responsive launch and gathering test data in advance of our first operational satellite launch later this year, the outcome was great,”Musk said in a statement. "Operationally responsive launch has become an increasingly important national security objective, so demonstrating rapid loading of propellants and launch in less than an hour as well as a rapid recycle following the first engine ignition are major accomplishments.”
 
While "the second stage didn’t achieve full orbital velocity due to a roll excitation late in the burn … that should be a comparatively easy fix once we examine the flight data,” Musk said. "All in all, this test has flight proven 95-plus percent of the Falcon 1 systems, which bodes really well for our upcoming flights of Falcon 1 and Falcon 9.”

SpaceX expects no significant delay to scheduled flights. A U.S. Department of Defense satellite launch is slated for late summer, and a mission with a Malaysian satellite is slated for fall.