Big Boom on Sealaunch platform

[Galileo]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMG2SBwIcrM

A rocket explode just second after the launch causing dammage to the launch pad ( http://www.sea-launch.com/ )

A preliminary assessment of the Odyssey Launch Platform indicates that, while it has sustained limited damage, the integrity and functionality of essential marine, communications and crew support systems remains intact. The vessel is operating on its own power and is currently manned by the full marine crew. This team is performing a comprehensive assessment of all aspects of the vessel, including its structural integrity and sea-worthiness, in anticipation of identifying and planning the next steps. The team on the Sea Launch Commander is in excellent condition and is supporting these activities. The Commander incurred no damage during yesterday’s launch attempt, as it was positioned four miles from the Launch Platform at the time of lift-off.

[Shadow]

I always wonder why no one is yelling: "Holy Crap!" or something when they waste 800 Million Dollars.

[winchester_down]

3....2.....1.....................................................roflrofl

[mortthewiz]

lol wow, what a waste of money

[Galileo]

lol wow, what a waste of money

not for the shipyard where the lauch pad will be fix.

[Hiroshima]

Accidents happen, even if it does waste $800M dollars.

[Galileo]

officially it s not an accident :

from the sea launch website:
"A Sea Launch Zenit-3SL vehicle, carrying the NSS-8 satellite, experienced an anomaly today during launch operations."

[Hiroshima]

Ok...

Anomalies happen, even if it does wates $800M.

[Makita]

Bad day at the office.

[Robsto]

to quote a bad film title, in absolute pun. " failure to launch"

[themacedonian]

I always wonder why no one is yelling: "Holy Crap!" or something when they waste 800 Million Dollars.

I was expecting the lady to say something like:

"what are you guys doing for lunch, how about chinese?"

[DaGreatRV]

Well, at least they have ensurance :) (satelite builder)



BTW, this disapoints me, this thing uses the RD-171 (this engine is what makes russia Str0nGz11!!!!11) :-(

Thrust(vac): 7,903.000 kN (1,776,665 lbf). Thrust(sl): 7,550.000 kN (1,697,300 lbf). Isp: 337 sec. Isp (sea level): 309 sec p-)
Chamber Pressure: 245.00 bar (!!! :-P !!!)

http://www.astronautix.com/graphics/r/rd170.jpg
(this is the rd-170, the rd-171 can swivel in more directions)

[He219]

so what happened.
cause of failure?

[DaGreatRV]

so what happened.
cause of failure?

They way it behaves (drops down) leads be to believe that:
- one of the spin up charges miss fired (not likely, it's hypergolic)
- A turbo pump failed (most likely)
- rough sea (that would be stupid)
- Engine couldn't power up fast enough(unlikely, it would have just sat there or went up higher and then fall down)


Assuming a turbo pump failed during launch, the rocket lifted up a bit and then fell down on it's supports.
These supports can take the weight of the rocket standing still, but by falling down the force is a lot greater so it buckeld (the fact that the load on the supports changes so quickly is a factor aswell, normally a rocket gains weight gradually during tanking)


Investigation pending.

[Groove]

Usually they have an insurance :D

Thx for the extra info RV !

[Galileo]

It depends, some company or states have money only to build sat so they get the cheapest launcher (and no insurrance), in case of 'anomaly' they lost all.

Most of the scientific sats are in this case.