This article is from the source 'washpo' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/rocket-blows-up-seconds-after-launching/2014/10/28/92ca8c62-5ef1-11e4-9f3a-7e28799e0549_story.html?wprss=rss_homepage

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Rocket headed to International Space Station blows up seconds after liftoff Rocket headed to International Space Station blows up seconds after liftoff
(about 2 hours later)
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 evening a few seconds after liftoff 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 flames. Orbital Sciences is a private company based in Dulles, Va.
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 that there were no injuries in the explosion. However, it appeared that the explosion caused damage on the ground.
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.
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.” At a news conference Tuesday evening, NASA described the explosion as a “catastrophic anomaly.”
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. At liftoff, rockets are filled with highly volatile fuel. Officials said that the rocket’s first stage contained kerosene and liquid oxygen. They said it appeared that most of the kerosene had burned.
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. In addition, it was emphasized at the news conference that a mission such as Tuesday’s entails inherent risk because of the chemical energy contained in the rocket fuel.
A launch had been scheduled for Monday night, but was postponed at the last minute because of reports that a boat was downrange. However, officials reiterated that any specific determination of what went wrong would take time.
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. Earlier in the evening, CNN quoted a launch director as saying that the spacecraft contained “classified . . . equipment.” A crawl that appeared on the network’s footage of the explosion reported that the director had described the items as “crypto equipment.”
The first stage employed a liquid-fueled rocket that was powered by two Aerojet Rocketdyne AJ26 engines, according to Orbital Sciences Corp. Orbital Sciences had conducted previous resupply missions from Wallops Island under a contract with NASA. However, Tuesday’s launch was to be the first in which a more powerful second-stage motor was to be used.
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 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, and as far west as Pittsburgh.
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. Many people had gathered in anticipation of the launch, from the Eastern Shore to the Washington area. The White House said President Obama was briefed on the explosion. The crew of the space station reportedly witnessed the accident on a video feed.
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. Plans called for a two-stage Antares space launch vehicle to boost a Cygnus spacecraft into orbit. The compartment that carried the Antares payload was about 12 feet in diameter, at the top of the long, slender Antares.
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. After reaching orbit, the spacecraft was then to dock with the space station.
As envisioned, the program was to deliver up to 44,000 pounds of cargo to the space station over eight missions, including Tuesday’s. The first stage employed a liquid-fueled­ rocket that was powered by two Aerojet Rocketdyne AJ26 engines, according to Orbital Sciences.
In addition to food, items expected to be carried included clothing, spare parts and equipment and scientific experiments. The second stage was to use a solid motor to boost the Cygnus into orbit. Orbital said the mission was the first to use a larger, more powerful Castor 30XL second-stage­ motor.
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. Orbital Sciences has contracted with the space agency to resupply the space station. The rocket was carrying about 5,000 pounds of food and other cargo.
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. At the news conference, it was asserted that the value of the rocket and spacecraft was more than $200 million. The financial effect of the loss on the parties involved could not be learned immediately.
Authorities said at the news conference that the space station crew had no urgent needs and could continue operations for some time without the cargo that was to be brought on the Cygnus.
Successful resupply missions have been carried out under the $1.9 billion contract with Orbital Sciences. Tuesday’s launch was to be the fourth cargo mission to the space station by a Cygnus spacecraft, including a demonstration mission.
The explosion may have been the most spectacular launch failure at the Wallops facility, on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. Video showed a cloud of smoke and a fireball, with small pieces of debris ejected from the center of the explosion.
Previously, the resupply missions to the space station were conducted with NASA’s space shuttles. The space shuttle program ended in 2011. Orbital Sciences and NASA, among others, will investigate the accident.
The cargo in the Cygnus included students’ science experiments.