CSD.MCGRATH@SU-SCORE@sri-unix (09/12/82)
From: Jim McGrath <CSD.MCGRATH at SU-SCORE> It all depends upon what it was suppose to do. If it was suppose to be a complete model for later launchings, then of course it is irrational (you cannot live off of second hand NASA parts forever). But it was NOT meant to be that. As far as I know, SSI is still committed to developing their own rocket, and this launch was largely intended to 1) get rid of the problems associated with a launch that are NOT dependent upon the rocket itself (so that you can later concentrate on just perfecting the rocket), and 2) getting ANYTHING up so as to attract more money. The failure of the European rocket was very fortunate in that it provided a feild day for reporters to compare American private enterprize to European government work. Jim -------