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Rocket headed to International Space Station blows up seconds after liftoff Rocket headed to International Space Station blows up seconds after liftoff
(less than a minute earlier)
An unmanned rocket that was to resupply the International Space Station blew up Tuesday night a few seconds after lift-off from Wallops Island, Va.An unmanned rocket that was to resupply the International Space Station blew up Tuesday night a few seconds after lift-off from Wallops Island, Va.
The Orbital Sciences rocket rose a short distance from the launch pad and then exploded in a ball of orange flame.The Orbital Sciences rocket rose a short distance from the launch pad and then exploded in a ball of orange flame.
NASA confirmed that all personnel were accounted for, and there were no injuries in the explosion. However, it appeared that the explosion caused substantial damage on the ground in the launch area.NASA confirmed that all personnel were accounted for, and there were no injuries in the explosion. However, it appeared that the explosion caused substantial damage on the ground in the launch area.
The cause of the explosion was not immediately known. But at lift-off, rockets are filled with highly volatile fuel.The cause of the explosion was not immediately known. But at lift-off, rockets are filled with highly volatile fuel.
CNN quoted a launch director as saying that he spacecraft contained “classified ... equipment.” A crawl on the network’s coverage reported that the director had described the items as “crypto-equipment.”CNN quoted a launch director as saying that he spacecraft contained “classified ... equipment.” A crawl on the network’s coverage reported that the director had described the items as “crypto-equipment.”
Orbital Sciences had conducted previous resupply missions from Wallops under a contract with NASA. However, Tuesday night’s launch was to be the first in which a more powerful second-stage motor was to be used.Orbital Sciences had conducted previous resupply missions from Wallops under a contract with NASA. However, Tuesday night’s launch was to be the first in which a more powerful second-stage motor was to be used.
The launch had been scheduled for 6:22 p.m. from the launch facility on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Had all gone according to plan, the launch would have been visible for hundreds of miles along the Eastern Seaboard.The launch had been scheduled for 6:22 p.m. from the launch facility on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Had all gone according to plan, the launch would have been visible for hundreds of miles along the Eastern Seaboard.
A launch had been scheduled for Monday night, but was postponed at the last minute because of reports that a boat was downrange.A launch had been scheduled for Monday night, but was postponed at the last minute because of reports that a boat was downrange.
Plans called for a two-stage Antares space launch vehicle to boost a Cygnus spacecraft into orbit. The spacecraft was then to dock with the space station.Plans called for a two-stage Antares space launch vehicle to boost a Cygnus spacecraft into orbit. The spacecraft was then to dock with the space station.
The first stage employed a liquid-fueled rocket that was powered by two Aerojet Rocketdyne AJ26 engines, according to Orbital Sciences Corp.The first stage employed a liquid-fueled rocket that was powered by two Aerojet Rocketdyne AJ26 engines, according to Orbital Sciences Corp.
The second stage was to use a solid motor to boost the Cygnus into orbit. Orbital said the Tuesday night mission was the first to use a larger, more powerful CASTOR 30XL second stage motor.The second stage was to use a solid motor to boost the Cygnus into orbit. Orbital said the Tuesday night mission was the first to use a larger, more powerful CASTOR 30XL second stage motor.
Orbital is a private company based in Dulles, Va., that has contracted with the space agency to resupply the space station. The rocket was carrying about 5,000 pounds of food and other cargo.Orbital is a private company based in Dulles, Va., that has contracted with the space agency to resupply the space station. The rocket was carrying about 5,000 pounds of food and other cargo.
Quoting a NASA spokesman, the Associated Press reported that none of the cargo was urgently needed on the space station. According to the AP, the Russian space agency was proceeding with its own resupply mission.Quoting a NASA spokesman, the Associated Press reported that none of the cargo was urgently needed on the space station. According to the AP, the Russian space agency was proceeding with its own resupply mission.
Successful resupply missions have already been carried out under the $1.9 billion contract with Orbital Sciences. Tuesday’s launch was to be the fourth cargo mission to the ISS by a Cygnus spacecraft, including a demonstration mission.Successful resupply missions have already been carried out under the $1.9 billion contract with Orbital Sciences. Tuesday’s launch was to be the fourth cargo mission to the ISS by a Cygnus spacecraft, including a demonstration mission.
As envisioned, the program was to deliver up to 44,000 pounds of cargo to the space station over eight missions, including Tuesday’s.As envisioned, the program was to deliver up to 44,000 pounds of cargo to the space station over eight missions, including Tuesday’s.
In addition to food, items expected to be carried included clothing, spare parts and equipment and scientific experiments.In addition to food, items expected to be carried included clothing, spare parts and equipment and scientific experiments.
The explosion may have been the most spectacular launch failure at the Wallops facility on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. V ideo showed both a cloud of smoke and a fireball, with small pieces of debris ejected from the center of the explosion.The explosion may have been the most spectacular launch failure at the Wallops facility on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. V ideo showed both a cloud of smoke and a fireball, with small pieces of debris ejected from the center of the explosion.
Previously, the orbital resupply missions to the space station had been conducted by use of NASA’s space shuttle. However, the space shuttle program has concluded. Both Orbital and NASA, among others, will investigate the accident.Previously, the orbital resupply missions to the space station had been conducted by use of NASA’s space shuttle. However, the space shuttle program has concluded. Both Orbital and NASA, among others, will investigate the accident.