Brazilian rocket explosion claims 21 lives
Posted: Sun, Aug 24, 2003, 12:16 PM ET (1616 GMT)
Friday's explosion of a Brazilian VLS-1 rocket, apparently triggered by a booster ignition, killed 21 people, officials said this weekend. The explosion Friday afternoon at the Alcantara launch complex took place as hundreds of technicians were working on the rocket, preparing it for a launch as early as August 25. The explosion destroyed the rocket and its payload of two small satellites; the conflagration was apparently so intense that coroners have had difficulty identifying the bodies of the victims. Investigators believe that one of four solid-propellant booster rockets ignited prematurely, but do not know what could have triggered the explosion. The Brazilian Space Agency plans to complete the investigation within 30 days. The Brazilian government declared a three-day mourning period for the victims of the accident, and declared that the country would press ahead with its space program.
Friday's explosion of a Brazilian VLS-1 rocket, apparently triggered by a booster ignition, killed 21 people, officials said this weekend. The explosion Friday afternoon at the Alcantara launch complex took place as hundreds of technicians were working on the rocket, preparing it for a launch as early as August 25. The explosion destroyed the rocket and its payload of two small satellites; the conflagration was apparently so intense that coroners have had difficulty identifying the bodies of the victims. Investigators believe that one of four solid-propellant booster rockets ignited prematurely, but do not know what could have triggered the explosion. The Brazilian Space Agency plans to complete the investigation within 30 days. The Brazilian government declared a three-day mourning period for the victims of the accident, and declared that the country would press ahead with its space program.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
Space Force picks 14 companies for GEO surveillance program
Posted: Sat, Apr 11 10:34 AM ET (1434 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Thursday, April 23
Firefly Aerospace moves into 3 new buildings in Cedar Park
KVUE-TV Austin, TX — 4:24 am ET (0824 GMT) ESA Formalizes European Defense Agency Links
Aviation Week — 4:23 am ET (0823 GMT) Plato aces space-like tests
ESA — 4:23 am ET (0823 GMT) In ‘major win’ for Alabama, $565 million set aside for Space Command design, construction
Huntsville Times — 4:22 am ET (0822 GMT) Trump taps defense firm execs to lead space acquisition, NRO
Breaking Defense — 4:19 am ET (0819 GMT) |
