Broke Antares rocket carrying the cargo to the ISS – Gazeta.pl

The rocket took into orbit unmanned Cygnus transport ship, which was carrying food, equipment and experiments to the International Space Station.

Antares rocket belonged to a private company Orbital Sciences Corporation performing flights on behalf of NASA. Its design was based on AJ26-62 Aerojet engines supplied by the Ukrainian company Jużnoje Design Office. They were built in the 60s and 70s in the USSR for the needs of the Soviet program of manned flights to the moon. Have not been used, and after undergoing preservation lay in store. After the renewal and modification are used, among others, Antares rockets.

This was the third flight of the ship Cygnus carry-out of the Antares rocket – there have not been any problems. The first time was flying a larger version of the Cygnus, but it is unclear whether it could have an impact on the behavior of the rocket.

The reasons for failure and explosion are not yet known. As pointed out by NASA and Orbital Sciences before the start there were no alarming signals or irregularities.

Although the Cygnus had to provide supplies to the International Space Station, its functioning is not affected – on Wednesday morning, flying there Russian Progress and SpaceX’s ship in December.

The following video shows the start and disaster.

Start held from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility, located on the east coast of the USA. Because the flight the rocket was supposed to be visible from a large area of ​​the northeastern United States, NASA encouraged to follow by posting online maps showing where the flight will be visible.

The explosion rockets captured on film made from a private aircraft flying in the vicinity of the launch site

The explosion also filmed from the position of the press

The night held at the time of the conference Polish NASA and Orbital Sciences representatives of the agency and the company announced that it continues to collect data and analyze telemetry and video recordings video. At the moment it is too early to make assumptions about the causes of the accident.

At the same time informed that the rocket contained a lot of cargo and materials, which can be dangerous – if someone finds some fragments of explosive rejected or discarded by the sea is asked to This would not touch them. Given phone numbers that can be informed of such finds survey team. Immediately began securing the area, but the main action of the study area will begin at dawn.

To provide representatives of NASA payload that Cygnus was carrying were not critical to the operation of the International Space Station. Cargo ship flying in December will be slightly modified, but the loss of Cygnus does not interfere with work at the station.

There are as yet unknown damage to the landing, which fell rocket. The representative of Orbital Sciences said the Wallops Flight Facility is the only place where they can compete Antares rocket and its repair and restoration to working order is a priority for the company.

Broke Antares rocket carrying the cargo to the ISS – Gazeta.pl