(Baikonur Rocket Base, Kazakhstan) According to a Russian source, the rocket failure was caused by improperly installed angular velocity sensors. They were put in upside down. Heh.
Each of those sensors had an arrow that was suppose to point toward the top of the vehicle, however multiple sensors on the failed rocket were pointing downward instead.Reportedly, a criminal investigation has been launched.
As a result, the flight control system was receiving wrong information about the position of the rocket and tried to "correct" it, causing the vehicle to swing wildly and, ultimately, crash.
The paper trail led to a young technician responsible for the wrong assembly of the hardware, but also raised serious issues of quality control at the Proton's manufacturing plant, at the rocket's testing facility, and at the assembly building in Baikonur.
It appeared that no visual control of the faulty installation had been conducted, while electrical checks had not detected the problem since all circuits had been working correctly.
Russian Rocket Explodes During Takeoff
[Previous 7/2/13 post]
(Baikonur Rocket Base, Kazakhstan) Three Russian satellites were lost yesterday.
An unmanned Russian carrier rocket exploded on takeoff at the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, releasing 600 tonnes of highly toxic fuel into the air in images broadcast live on television.The Russian space program reportedly has experienced several major setbacks recently. Since the U.S. relies on Russian rockets to ferry astronauts to the International Space Station, I suggest there is reason for concern.
Spectacular footage showed the Proton-M rocket veering off its trajectory just seconds after its 6:38 am (0238 GMT) launch, before erupting into a ball of flames and unleashing clouds of noxious black smoke.
The Russian space agency Roskosmos, citing preliminary information, said the accident caused no damage or casualties.
"It seems something is going wrong," said a television commentator during the live coverage of the launch. "Something is wrong. It seems it will be a catastrophe," said the presenter, his voice trembling, shortly before the rocket exploded.
The rocket was supposed to take three Russian Glonass-M navigation satellites into space.
3 comments:
Yes, watched it on our US news this morning.
From the news this morning, I could swear there were a few shoots floating down on the left side of the screen.
Go to YouTube and search "Russian rocket explodes in Kazakhstan"
There are several videos.
Do they have any muslims on the project? It seems to be a recurring theme with them. Just asking.
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