In 14 seconds after launch, just above the starting position, 240-ton Antares rocket crashed , and a moment later fell to the ground causing a massive explosion. Now NASA and company Orbital Sciences, which included rocket admitted that at the decisive moment of self-destruction process started.
As soon as the irregularity was noted at the start, immediately triggered one of the two security officers who are always present in this type of ventures. Their tasks include observation of the rocket and the final decision-flying is not flying. In case of irregularities, which may deflect the flight path of the rocket, the officers must, within a few seconds decide to destroy the machine. The point is not to threaten people who might be in the range rocket over which control was lost.
photo. NASA
The decision to destroy damaged rocket is very difficult, because in the first few seconds after the start of the assessment of its condition and flight path can not yet help radar systems. Therefore, the method used here, which appears to be obsolete. This includes inter alia the use of two observers. They follow start looking through the glass of the two lines. If the rocket deviates exceeding any of the line, immediately inform the security officer, who makes the final decision. If you decide to press the self-destruct, blasting explosives placed around the tank with fuel. It is likely they have caused the explosion, which began even before the Antares rocket fell to the ground.
Although it is not yet known causes of the disaster, point to the failures in the engine. Perhaps it has to do with the fact that the rockets Antares uses engines that were built in the 60s and 70s in the Soviet Union. They were to be used in manned missions to the moon, which the Soviet Union has never carried out. Since that time were held, and now – after the renewal and modernization – they are used to lift goods into orbit.
More incredible photos of Antares rocket will find in our gallery HERE.
photo. NASA
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