Since a lot of people have been writing about the failed IFT-13C intercept test let me toss in my $0.02: if the decision to fire the interceptor had been made, the test probably would have passed. By my understanding, the reason the test was aborted (not failed) is that the data collection devices needed to record the test results were not working properly. That means that if the test had proceded it would not have fulfilled its purpose, pass or fail. So the test was aborted after the target missile was launched but before the (vastly more expensive) interceptor was launched. The test will probably be rescheduled very soon, and completed normally.
Update:
Power Line has similar information from another source.
Thanks for the link!
I hope I was clear that although this test failed, I FULLY SUPPORT our efforts to construct a working National Missile Defense system. I don't always agree with everything I hear that we're doing, but we need this system.
I hadn't read that it was data collection devices that failed and caused the abortion of the launch. I realize that was the primary mission of this test, but I haven't read WHAT it was that failed. Do you have some links?
(Not that I'm contradicting you...just curious.)
M: See the Power Line post I just linked to in the update; they've got the same information from another source.
Thanks, Michael!