Orbital Sciences Suffers A Setback

[Michael]

Space Station Supply Rocket Explodes on Launch - ABC News

I don't think most folks realize just how incredibly difficult it is to launch things into space. I'm amazed how often it goes off without a hitch, but the odds are bound to result in some spectacular failures sooner or later. My condolences to the Orbital Science team. Look on the bright side, at least it was unmanned.

 

[Oafman]

This is a great shame. I feel particularly sorry for the scientists who had spent months and years preparing experiments which were on board.

But you are right to look for perspective. Of the 81 launches last year, only 4 were not successful. Getting things into space remains very difficult.

 

[Michael]

This is a great shame. I feel particularly sorry for the scientists who had spent months and years preparing experiments which were on board.

But you are right to look for perspective. Of the 81 launches last year, only 4 were not successful. Getting things into space remains very difficult.

I hear you with respect to the scientists that put so much time into experiments that went up in smoke, not to mention the folks at Orbital Sciences. Even still, it's important to remember just how difficult it is to put things and people into space, and it's simply inevitable that a few launches won't go as planned.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

and, thankfully, some of the financial difficulties they were experiencing will be resolved now by the insurance and/or other funding they will get to replace what was lost, (at inflated prices of course (on paper) ) ...
(note too that the supplies etc in the space station are not running short so as to be in difficulty)
and
while it might not 'balance' their budget, it will certainly pay a lot of chiecks.

 

[Justatruthseeker]

Space Station Supply Rocket Explodes on Launch - ABC News

I don't think most folks realize just how incredibly difficult it is to launch things into space. I'm amazed how often it goes off without a hitch, but the odds are bound to result in some spectacular failures sooner or later. My condolences to the Orbital Science team. Look on the bright side, at least it was unmanned.

Yah, I am surprised it doesn't happen more often - being such things are built by the lowest bidder - although it was a Russian module this time wasn't it?

 

[Michael]

NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility completes initial assessment after Orbital launch mishap -- ScienceDaily

The initial assessment is a cursory look; it will take many more weeks to further understand and analyze the full extent of the effects of the event. A number of support buildings in the immediate area have broken windows and imploded doors. A sounding rocket launcher adjacent to the pad, and buildings nearest the pad, suffered the most severe damage.
At Pad 0A the initial assessment showed damage to the transporter erector launcher and lightning suppression rods, as well as debris around the pad.

The real "bummer" IMO was the fact it blew up so soon into the launch. The damage done to the launch pad and island were pretty substantial apparently.

 

[Nithavela]

and, thankfully, some of the financial difficulties they were experiencing will be resolved now by the insurance and/or other funding they will get to replace what was lost, (at inflated prices of course (on paper) ) ...
(note too that the supplies etc in the space station are not running short so as to be in difficulty)
and
while it might not 'balance' their budget, it will certainly pay a lot of chiecks.

It will drive up insurance costs, though. I can't imagine what an insurance company asks for insuring such a thing, if there even is such a company that is willing to take the risk.

 

[Michael]

It will drive up insurance costs, though. I can't imagine what an insurance company asks for insuring such a thing, if there even is such a company that is willing to take the risk.

Antares Rocket Explosion Destroyed These Kids' Science Projects - ABC News

I'm sure that insurance coverage isn't much of a consolation for those kids.

 

[mzungu]

The price for progress is not only measured in human lives but in mechanical failures too! With every accident we learn more and just like we did with Civil aviation we keep learning and make it safer and more reliable after an accident.

 

[Michael]

The price for progress is not only measured in human lives but in mechanical failures too! With every accident we learn more and just like we did with Civil aviation we keep learning and make it safer and more reliable after an accident.

Indeed. It's too early to say for sure of course, but it looks like they are already zeroing in on a potential "cause".

Orbital Sciences Considers Replacing Russian Engine Used on Antares

 

[Strathos]

Maybe they should stop contracting these things to the lowest bidder

 

[Michael]

Maybe they should stop contracting these things to the lowest bidder

In this case I think it has more to do with them using a relatively old engine, one that was problematic even in it's heyday.

Decades-old Soviet engines powered US rocket that exploded

 

[mzungu]

In this case I think it has more to do with them using a relatively old engine, one that was problematic even in it's heyday.

Decades-old Soviet engines powered US rocket that exploded

Actually the engines were refurbished and passed stringent tests by the American company. Do we know for sure it was the engine? Do we know for sure that it was not the refurbishment? Were the ill fated space shuttles from the Soviet Union too?
The very same type of engines power many US rockets without a hitch. The US failed to build recycle engines while the Soviets succeeded due to superior metallurgy.
Like I said; progress comes at a price.

ENJOY:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLg1QUq5GQM

 

[Michael]

Actually the engines were refurbished and passed stringent tests by the American company. Do we know for sure it was the engine? Do we know for sure that it was not the refurbishment? Were the ill fated space shuttles from the Soviet Union too?
The very same type of engines power many US rockets without a hitch. The US failed to build recycle engines while the Soviets succeeded due to superior metallurgy.
Like I said; progress comes at a price.

ENJOY:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLg1QUq5GQM

You kinda took my comment a little "personally". I wasn't trying to blame the Russians. I was simply noting that the equipment was "refurbished" rather than new, and it's based on a design that the Russians have already replaced. As Virgin Galactic points out however, even brand new rocket technology isn't necessarily "safe". As you (and I) have pointed out, space travel is difficult, and it always involves risk.

 

[Stellar Vision]

Do those unmanned launches have some kind of escape rocket for the top payload section, or does the extra cost just outweigh the expense of rebuilding the experiments.

 

[Justatruthseeker]

It's those rockets built by the lowest bidder. We are just lucky it doesn't happen more often. Refurbished or brand new, it's still the lowest bidder working on them, cutting whatever corners can be done to save money because of that lowest bid.

 

[Michael]

Engine turbopump eyed in Antares launch failure | Spaceflight Now

Investigators examining the Oct. 28 launch failure have narrowed their focus on one of the Antares rocket’s two AJ26 main engines, said David Thompson, Orbital’s chairman and CEO.
“While still preliminary and subject to change, current evidence strongly suggests that one of the two AJ26 main engines that powered the Antares first stage failed about 15 seconds after ignition,” Thompson said in a conference call with financial analysts.
“At this time, we believe the failure likely originated in — or directly affected — the turbompump machinery of this engine, but I want to stress that more analysis will be required to confirm that this finding is correct,” Thompson said.