Interesting that Keith Cowling on "NASA Watch" says that the Pegasus failed prior to X-43A separation while CNN said that X-43A separated and malfunctioned. Needless to say, "NASA Watfh" is the one to believe. CNN often gets it's facts wrong (the recent Barry D. stupidity being a shameful example). Also I believe(?) but am not certain that X-43A can not separate from the Pegasus booster unless it's scramjet motor is producing thrust. The enormous force of the dynamic pressure holding the X-43A onto the Pegasus booster was a major design headache (there was some gossip that someone resigned/early-retired over that issue).

Gary