2 parachutes malfunctioned in NASA test flight

By Marcia Dunn

updated 1:16 p.m. ET Oct. 30, 2009

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida - NASA says two of three parachutes malfunctioned in the test flight of a prototype moon rocket earlier this week.

The problem caused the Ares I-X booster to slam into the Atlantic Ocean harder than expected. The booster was badly dented by the impact.

Mission manager Bob Ess said Friday the damage is irrelevant because the booster is not meant to fly again. He says the parachute trouble does not detract from the overall success of Wednesday's flight.

All three parachutes on the first-stage booster opened following the two-minute flight. One quickly deflated. Another deployed only part way.

The parachute lines may be to blame, but NASA won't know until it inspects the parts. The recovered booster arrived back at port Friday.

MORE FROM SPACE

Space Section Front

Space shuttle makes midnight rendezvous Evidence of liquid water on Saturn's moon NASA launches private firms into space race New solar observatory to unlock sun's mysteries Cosmic Log: Tour space, inside and out   See the world from the space station FirstPerson: Your blasts from the past 15-year prison sentence in shuttle spy case NASA webcam airs ‘reality show’ from space   See the coolest views from outer space Space Section Front   Add Space headlines to your news reader: