These teams weren't sanctioned by NASA top brass, so in a way they are effectively going rogue, not unlike an Alaskan governor in a Saks Fifth Avenue. They were also not towing the company line about the future of the space program. In fact, they argued that NASA should scrap the upcoming Ares rocket program in lieu of a new program called Jupiter Direct, which relies heavily on proven current-gen space shuttle program technologies and rocket parts.

On paper at least, the Jupiter Direct program appears cheaper. Using a smaller and less cool-sounding rocket than the Ares 1, called the Jupiter 120, the program would require the modified external tank from the space shuttle, which would be shot into space by two RS-68 liquid-fuel engines. Liftoff would occur thanks to the two four-segment solid rocket boosters engineers would bring over directly from the existing shuttle program (which is obvious once you see that image).

And better yet, the Jupiter Direct program has longevity built right in. Because its engine configuration is theoretically more powerful than Ares, the 120 rocket would have the extra oompf necessary for a lunar flyby. A larger Jupiter 232 rocket would allow man (and woman) to land on the moon after a hookup with NASA's Orion lander capsule, which the program leaves unchanged.

Ultimately, the plan is about saving money and keeping space flight missions ongoing after the shuttle program is retired, not usurping NASA. The Obama transition team provided no comment on the rogue meeting, or on the Ares program, for that matter. [Popular Mechanics]

Luckily Scaled Composites, builders of the aircraft and spacecraft, planned for this sort of opportunity and designed their air-data probe systems, usually used just for avionics, to allow for other sensors to be attached in the hope that exactly this sort of science opportunity would come along.

The sensors will look for CO2 and other greenhouse gases, and will be aboard the 200-odd practice flights needed for testing and certification. After that program, Virgin and NOAA will decide if the equipment will go onto the commercial space flights alongside paying passengers. [NewScientist]

At the SpaceX web site, the feat was documented in a kind of flipbook format, with a series of photos showing the rocket launch from an on-board camera from launch to orbit.

"Fourth time's a charm," Musk said in a statement. No kidding, but congratulations on this 100% private effort nonetheless.

Noted Slashdot contributor dbullard, "This was a completely new vehicle — it's not using any previously developed hardware. All developed from scratch. No government supplied hardware, Russian engines, or old ICBM motors. My hat's off to the employees of Space X — all 550 of them. (Note — no 'cast of thousands,' just 550)."

The next Falcon 1 launch will carry RazakSat into orbit for Malaysia. If that launch is successful, the larger Falcon 9 rocket will take flight for the first time sometime in Q2 2009. [SpaceX via Slashdot]

Unfortunately for lovers of cool space gadgets and other tech, the doomed Falcon 1 was carrying several satellites, which were lost in the explosion.

According to Space.com, the Falcon 1 was carrying a Pentagon satellite called Trailblazer for the Operationally Responsive Space Office. Two small NASA satellites were also destroyed, including a solar sail called NanoSail-D, and a micro laboratory called PRESat.

Even with the gaff, which joins two previous failed Falcon 1 launches from March 2006 and 2007, Musk told SpaceX employees the funding would continue indefinitely. Work on Falcon 9, SpaceX's "heavy lifter" rocket, and the Dragon, their human-carrying version, will continue, he said. Something tells me people won't be as eager to clamor aboard that Dragon one as they have Sir Richard Brandon's White Knight and SpaceShipTwo. Just a hunch. [MSNBC.com]

Take a look at the launch from the point of view of the vehicle itself, where it successfully roars into space and later separates from the first stage. But then the second stage begins to sway back and forth and glow a hot red toward the end, with the video ending when contact with the vehicle was lost 5:05 into the launch. It was later determined that the second stage had failed.

Still, the launch was a good indication that the company can actually send a spacecraft into space, which is generally considered to be around 60 miles high. It remains to be seen whether the company can send a spacecraft into orbit, a crucial capability. The flight was certainly more successful than that attempt a year ago, which ended in failure as it careened into the ocean. Take the jump to see that mishap.

Apparently the company has learned a lot in a year. On its website, SpaceX says yesterday's flight proved 95% of the Falcon 1's systems. This test brings SpaceX a step closer to its goal of lowering the cost of space flight by a factor of 10.

SpaceX foresees no delay in the launches for real customers it has planned for later this year: one for a Department of Defense satellite set to launch in late summer followed by the launch of a Malaysian satellite planned for this fall. – Charlie White

Demo Flight 2 [SpaceX, via Crunchgear]

The latest Neiman Marcus Christmas catalog of exotic gifts is offering the trip, which includes four nights of winding down apres spaceflight at Richard Branson's private retreat in the British Virgin Islands.

Someday in the not-too-distant future we'll laugh at this $1.76 million price tag, but for now, maybe we could get Neiman Marcus to donate a charter spaceflight as a Gizmodo contest prize. But then, some of our commenters don't have to be in space to be weightless. No, no, I'm not talking about you. Commenters, what should it take to win the trip? – Charlie White

Niemann Marcus Christmas Book [Niemann Marcus, via CNN Money]

Of course, if your payload is rejected or "a flight does not occur," you get all your money back. We're thinking that "flight does not occur" thing refers to the "space system" taking a nosedive into the desert near Las Cruces, New Mexico on October 20-22. That's where the XPrize Cup will be held, an expo where private space companies (they call themselves "astropreneurs") compete for $3 million in prizes.

Product Page [Masten Space Systems]

Space Adventures already claims to have sent tourists into space, renting out rides on a MiG-25 where passengers hold tight to air sickness bags while seeing the curvature of the Earth at 80,000 feet.

As for the upcoming space flights from Singapore, tickets are not available yet. Don't hold your breath.

Space Adventures Announces $115 Million Spaceport in Singapore [Born Rich]