[zeep]

CNN headline: "Zuma spacecraft launched by SpaceX is lost after failing to reach orbit"

I don't like to see SpaceX fail, but I don't like how Elon Musk sometimes appears to try to shift the blame using PR moves...

[jblow]

If it is not SpaceX’s fault in this case, what exactly do you think it is reasonable for them to do?

It’s weird that even your reply seems to assume it’s SpaceX’s fault. Why? (“I don’t like to see SpaceX fail...”)

[zeep]

The parent of my previous comment claimed:

> [...] it really feels like people love to watch Space X fail.

which is why I said that...

[JshWright]

What "blame shifting" do you see in this case?

[zeep]

I don't know in this case because it was/is a secret mission and we probably will never know the whole truth ...

[JshWright]

I don't understand... If you're accusing someone of "blame shifting", presumably you can identify where you think that is being done.

In this case we have a payload that apparently failed to cleanly separate from the payload adapter (according to a variety of sources). Both the payload and the payload adapter were made by Northrup Grumman, not SpaceX, and the two were mated together by Northrup Grumman, not SpaceX. Do you consider it "blame shifting" to point that out?

[zeep]

https://sattrackcam.blogspot.com.au/2018/01/fuel-dump-of-zum...

mirrors:

http://archive.is/chd3C

https://web.archive.org/save/https://sattrackcam.blogspot.co...

[JshWright]

I'm not sure what point you're trying to make with that link. Could you add some more context?

The fact that the second stage deorbited when and where it was supposed is just more evidence that the rocket performed as intended.