Stories
Slash Boxes
Comments

SoylentNews is people

SoylentNews is powered by your submissions, so send in your scoop. Only 17 submissions in the queue.

ISS Resupply Rocket Explodes Shortly after Launch

posted by n1 on Wednesday October 29 2014, @11:05AM   Printer-friendly
from the very-expensive-fireworks dept.

Sir Finkus writes:

A supply rocket carrying cargo and experiments to the ISS exploded shortly after liftoff. NASA and Orbital Sciences (the company operating the rocket) have not released any information about what may have caused the incident, pending further investigation.

The mission was unmanned, and all personnel are safe and accounted for. The extent of the damage to the launch facility has not yet been determined.

Phil Plait, author of the Bad Astronomy blog speculates that the 60s-70s era refurbished Russian engines the vehicle used will come under heavy scrutiny.

 
This discussion has been archived. No new comments can be posted.
ISS Resupply Rocket Explodes Shortly after Launch | Log In/Create an Account | Top | 37 comments | Search Discussion
Display Options Threshold/Breakthrough Mark All as Read Mark All as Unread
The Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not responsible for them in any way.

  • (Score: 4, Informative) by TK on Wednesday October 29 2014, @01:38PM

    by TK (2760) on Wednesday October 29 2014, @01:38PM (#111137)

    The next question is where does this leave Orbital Sciences? Will they get another shot at it, or will the entire contract now go to SpaceX?

    Last night (9pm EST) there was a NASA interview panel answering questions from the press. This came up, and the short answer was that they plan for things like this, and they won't be cancelling the contract based on what they knew at that moment (very little). Unless the inspectors find evidence of gross negligence, of course.

    Also keep in mind that this was the third resupply launch of eight through 2015. I'm not certain that SpaceX could move fast enough to cover the difference, and I am certain that I don't want them to. Hurrying causes mistakes: expensive mistakes.

    --
    The fleas have smaller fleas, upon their backs to bite them, and those fleas have lesser fleas, and so ad infinitum
    Starting Score:    1  point
    Moderation   +2  
       Interesting=1, Informative=1, Total=2
    Extra 'Informative' Modifier   0  
    Karma-Bonus Modifier   +1  
    Total Score:   4