Usually, when a launch goes wrong just a few seconds after liftoff, the problem has something to do with an engine. Perhaps a fuel leak or a clogged fuel line.

Until we reach a large number of flights on a given system, we should be prepared for periodic failures -- far more than we would expect or tolerate with our cars and planes. And since we hope to put people atop many of these systems, we need to reach high flight count goals.

Interestingly, Antares' initial cargo will include small satellites built by NASA from globally sourced smartphones. But Antares should also remind us that, when it comes to America's role in the connected global economy, we also need to act on some weighty issues here on Earth.