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Russian Rocket Crashes With U.S. Satellite AboardFeb 04, 2013 (Radio Free Europe Documents and Publications/ContentWorks via COMTEX) -- February 2, 2013 A Russian rocket with a payload that included a U.S. communications satellite has plunged into the Pacific Ocean soon after launch. Officials quoted by Russian and international news agencies cited engine trouble soon after liftoff early on February 1. A purported video of the doomed launch posted on the SpaceVidsNet channel on YouTube appeared to show the engines cut off less than 30 seconds into the flight: The rocket was said to be carrying a Boeing-made Intelsat-27 satellite. The failure was the latest of a number of recent setbacks for Russia's space program, including other unsuccessful satellite launches and an abortive mission to study the Mars moon Phobos. Based on reporting by Reuters Copyright (c) 2011. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. www.rferl.org [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] |