Not such a Glorious Start

A commercial rocket blasted off from a site in New Mexico on Monday, but malfunctioned before it reached space, organizers said.

The UP Aerospace SpaceLoft XL rocket blasted off from Spaceport America, a remote desert launch site near the town of Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, but slewed off course 40,000 feet (12,190 meters) above ground due to a malfunction.

"Because of an unexpected aerodynamic effect, the vehicle was short of its effected range, it went to an altitude of 40,000 feet," a mission director said over a public address system said.

The New Mexico Spaceport is near TorC, NM. Not exactly a glorious start for the NM Spaceport.