While some may be disappointed this launch is not being broadcast, I've actually been more surprised by the overall amount of openness and transparency SpaceX have shown - a great example of which is the recent Dragon II manned-capsule press event.
Think about it, what we got to see up close represents the cutting edge in manned space technology anyone has ever produced. That's not only of interest to Musk's commercial rivals here in the US but also to 'rival' nations that still have state-sponsored space programs. Even if Musk is ok with it, I wonder how happy the US government is that China, Russia, Iran etc can pour all over those launch photos and videos.
Nasa never provided that kind of access to the press and media of its space vehicles. We should be grateful for the amount of access we've enjoyed from SpaceX.
(it sounds like they ARE going to be steaming it online after all, btw)
Err... let me see if I can piece this together. Friday's attempt was webcast and was scrubbed. Saturday's attempt was not webcast and was scrubbed. Today's attempt is scheduled for 5:16 PM Eastern and will be webcast? http://new.livestream.com/spacex/events/2980259/statuses/546...
Wonder if this represents two reversals in policy, or if webcasting yesterday was just inconvenient or maybe expensive for a launch they didn't expect to happen?
I think SpaceX chose to not webcast yesterday's launch because they believed the chances for a scrub were very high. It's better to grow a large following for webcasts of rocket launches rather then scrubbed launches.
Think about it, what we got to see up close represents the cutting edge in manned space technology anyone has ever produced. That's not only of interest to Musk's commercial rivals here in the US but also to 'rival' nations that still have state-sponsored space programs. Even if Musk is ok with it, I wonder how happy the US government is that China, Russia, Iran etc can pour all over those launch photos and videos.
Nasa never provided that kind of access to the press and media of its space vehicles. We should be grateful for the amount of access we've enjoyed from SpaceX.
(it sounds like they ARE going to be steaming it online after all, btw)