"Mosqvich" (mosqvich)
10/28/2014 at 18:28 • Filed to: None
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"Mosqvich" (mosqvich)
10/28/2014 at 18:28 • Filed to: None | 6
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The explosion occurred shortly after lift-off of the Cygnes Crew Resupply Vehicle heading on it's way to the International Space Station. The Orbital Sciences launch vehicle, the Antares, blew up six seconds of take-off.
[ Update ] It turns out there were classified cryptographic equipment on board. The area is now being completely secured.
The accident occurred at the Wallops Launch Facility in Wallops, Virginia. The NASA facility is now implementing contingency responses. There is "significant property and vehicle damage" according to NASA, but no personnel injuries have occurred as of now.
According to NASA the payload included several experiments along with resupply to the ISS.
Among the science cargo Cygnus will transport to the space station are a study to enable the first space-based observations of meteors entering Earth's atmosphere, a multitude of student investigations covering topics such as the effects of microgravity on plant growth and the rates of milk spoilage in space and international research including a study to determine how blood flows from the brain to the heart in the absence of gravity.
Brickman
> Mosqvich
10/28/2014 at 18:34 |
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Watching it on CNN. You can see the shockwave when it hits the ground and explodes. It's impressive but tragic too. Hope no one was hurt.
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Mosqvich
> Brickman
10/28/2014 at 18:36 |
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NASA's live feed went quiet, but the last I heard there were no injuries. However, the launch vehicle, all the equipment and supplies, and potential test items in the Cygnus could be very costly and in some cases irreplaceable.
For Sweden
> Mosqvich
10/28/2014 at 18:38 |
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Is the phrase "If it ain't Boeing, I'm not going" applicable here?
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Mosqvich
> For Sweden
10/28/2014 at 18:41 |
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It is very bad news for Orbital Sciences. They are having a rough go of it lately.
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For Sweden
> Mosqvich
10/28/2014 at 18:43 |
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I wonder if Orbital Sciences even has an SMS office.
Steve in Manhattan
> Mosqvich
10/28/2014 at 18:45 |
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On the one hand, you'd think we'd have this shit down. On the other, there are so many little tiny things that can go wrong. Back to the old drawing board.
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Mosqvich
> Steve in Manhattan
10/28/2014 at 18:48 |
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Exactly. It's a dangerous and risky business. SpaceX blew up 3 before getting it right. It's not a matter of if, but when these things happen.
Abject_Penitent
> Mosqvich
10/28/2014 at 19:05 |
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Excellent article write up. I really hope this doesn't set Orbital back too much.
They have confirmed that no one was injured so at least there is that.