Antares rocket explosion: AJ26 Soviet-made engines may have compromised the mission
TomoNews US
2015-04-14
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AJ26 Soviet-era engines built four decades ago may have played a significant role in the mishap that led to the explosion of the Antares rocket that was launched on Thursday in Virginia.
The BBC reported that an unknown failure took place 15 seconds into the flight on Thursday, prompting the range safety officer to activate the rocket’s self-destruct system.
The first stage of the Antares rocket is powered by two AJ26 engines, which were built by the Soviet Union 40 years ago. These engines are now at the center of the ongoing investigation.
The first stage is fuelled by liquid kerosene and oxygen, which were likely consumed or dissipated. Scientists, however, are worried about the hydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide fuel in the Cygnus spacecraft, which the Antares rocket was to carry into space, during the launch, Orbital executive vice president Frank Culbertson told Space.com.
The explosion and fire reportedly covered a 100-meter area, while some of the debris may have washed onto nearby beaches.
The mission was to deliver 2,200 kilograms of supplies to astronauts on the International Space Station. Its failure does not endanger the astronauts, as their current supplies will last until next spring.
The Antares rocket, built by American company Orbital Sciences, was launched from Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia on Thursday.
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The BBC reported that an unknown failure took place 15 seconds into the flight on Thursday, prompting the range safety officer to activate the rocket’s self-destruct system.
The first stage of the Antares rocket is powered by two AJ26 engines, which were built by the Soviet Union 40 years ago. These engines are now at the center of the ongoing investigation.
The first stage is fuelled by liquid kerosene and oxygen, which were likely consumed or dissipated. Scientists, however, are worried about the hydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide fuel in the Cygnus spacecraft, which the Antares rocket was to carry into space, during the launch, Orbital executive vice president Frank Culbertson told Space.com.
The explosion and fire reportedly covered a 100-meter area, while some of the debris may have washed onto nearby beaches.
The mission was to deliver 2,200 kilograms of supplies to astronauts on the International Space Station. Its failure does not endanger the astronauts, as their current supplies will last until next spring.
The Antares rocket, built by American company Orbital Sciences, was launched from Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia on Thursday.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Welcome to TomoNews, where we animate the most entertaining news on the internets. Come here for an animated look at viral headlines, US news, celebrity gossip, salacious scandals, dumb criminals and much more! Subscribe now for daily news animations that will knock your socks off.
For news that's fun and never boring, visit our channel:
https://www.youtube.com/user/TomoNewsUS
Subscribe to stay updated on all the top stories:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt-WqkTyKK1_70U4bb4k4lQ?sub_confirmation=1
Visit our official website for all the latest, uncensored videos: https://us.tomonews.net
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