Proton failure blamed on third stage engine malfunction
Posted: Sat, May 30, 2015, 10:50 AM ET (1450 GMT)
The Russian space agency Roscosmos said Friday that the failure of a Proton launch earlier in the month was caused by the failure of the engine in the rocket's third stage. Roscosmos said "increased vibration loads" caused by an imbalance in the engine's turbopump caused the engine to fail, dooming the rocket and its payload. A similar flaw caused the loss of a Proton launched in 1988. The investigation also found "a number of deficiencies" in the quality management system at Khrunichev, the manufacturer of the Proton. A schedule for the next Proton launch will be announced in June, Roscosmos said. The May 16 failure destroyed the Boeing-built Centenario for the Mexican government and further damaged the reputation of both the Proton as a viable commercial launch vehicle, and the Russian space industry in general.
The Russian space agency Roscosmos said Friday that the failure of a Proton launch earlier in the month was caused by the failure of the engine in the rocket's third stage. Roscosmos said "increased vibration loads" caused by an imbalance in the engine's turbopump caused the engine to fail, dooming the rocket and its payload. A similar flaw caused the loss of a Proton launched in 1988. The investigation also found "a number of deficiencies" in the quality management system at Khrunichev, the manufacturer of the Proton. A schedule for the next Proton launch will be announced in June, Roscosmos said. The May 16 failure destroyed the Boeing-built Centenario for the Mexican government and further damaged the reputation of both the Proton as a viable commercial launch vehicle, and the Russian space industry in general.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
Astrobotic selects Falcon Heavy to launch NASA lunar rover
Posted: Sun, Apr 18 11:23 AM ET (1523 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Tuesday, April 20
Local Aerospace Companies Play Major Roles in NASA’s Moon Missions
Los Angeles Business Journal — 4:28 am ET (0828 GMT) Analyst: NASA's lunar lander decision a 'major snub' to Blue Origin
Puget Sound Business Journal — 4:28 am ET (0828 GMT) Amazon Secures United Launch Alliance’s Proven Atlas V Rocket for Nine Project Kuiper Launches
United Launch Alliance — 4:26 am ET (0826 GMT) Amazon signs with ULA for rockets to launch Jeff Bezos’ Kuiper internet satellites
CNBC — 4:25 am ET (0825 GMT) Amazon's Project Kuiper Plans Launch Of Internet Satellites With ULA
Investor's Business Daily — 4:25 am ET (0825 GMT) |
