Antares Rocket Explodes On Launch

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Antares Rocket Explodes On Launch

Posted by Soulskill on Tuesday October 28, 2014 @11:40AM from the keep-trying dept.

sneakyimp writes: The Antares rocket operated by Orbital Sciences Corporation exploded on launch due to a "catastrophic anomaly" after a flawless countdown. No injuries are reported and all personnel are accounted for. According to the audio stream hosted by local news affiliate WTVR's website, the Cygnus spacecraft contained classified crypto technology and efforts are being made to cordon off the wreckage area. Additionally, interviews of personnel and witness reports are to be limited to appropriate government agencies so that an accident report can be generated. This accident is likely to have a detrimental effect on the stock price of Orbital Sciences Corp, traded on the NYSE. The Antares rocket's engines are based on old soviet designs from the '60s. While this is sure to be a blow to NASA due to the cost, it may well boost the fortunes of SpaceX, a chief competitor of Orbital Sciences. Both companies were recently awarded resupply contracts by NASA.

22 of 443 comments (clear)

Min score:

Reason:

Sort:

Flawless Countdown by Anonymous Coward · 2014-10-28 11:42 · Score: 5, Funny

Hey, at least they got the hard part right.
1. Re:Flawless Countdown by Hognoxious · 2014-10-28 20:34 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  Other companies run system diagnostics and verify that things are proper as part of the countdown
  
  Other companies don't use systemd.
  
  --
  Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
Look on the bright side by Chocolate+Teapot · 2014-10-28 11:45 · Score: 5, Funny

The ISS crew will get their pizza for free now.

--
Modest doubt is called the beacon of the wise. - William Shakespeare
1. Re:Look on the bright side by LifesABeach · 2014-10-28 12:47 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  ISS Crew: "We ordered Deep Dish, NOT Extra Crispy!" And where are the Buffalo Wings Dipping Sauce?
2. Re: Look on the bright side by Anonymous Coward · 2014-10-28 14:03 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  There's no such thing as a free launch.
3. Re:Look on the bright side by Nimey · 2014-10-28 15:02 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  ICBM silo art: delivery anywhere in the world in 20 minutes or your next one's free!
  
  --
  Hail Eris, full of mischief...
  
  E pluribus sanguinem
Re:AI did it by Anonymous Coward · 2014-10-28 11:45 · Score: 2, Funny

The office coffee machine is next.
CNN is reporting by Anonymous Coward · 2014-10-28 11:46 · Score: 5, Funny

no indications of terrorism linked to the destruction of the rocket.
1. Re:CNN is reporting by Chocolate+Teapot · 2014-10-28 11:50 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  It was aimed at ISS, not ISIS. I can see how that could be misunderstood though.
  
  --
  Modest doubt is called the beacon of the wise. - William Shakespeare
Re:There's a reason why... by Chocolate+Teapot · 2014-10-28 11:51 · Score: 5, Funny

Yep. There's no such thing as a free launch.

--
Modest doubt is called the beacon of the wise. - William Shakespeare
How could they mess this up??! by Anonymous Coward · 2014-10-28 11:56 · Score: 4, Funny

I mean it's not like it's rocket science...
What I want to know... by Type44Q · 2014-10-28 11:57 · Score: 5, Funny

What I want to know is if there's any truth to the rumors that Musk was seen leaving the area with an empty Stinger launch on one shoulder and a shit-eating grin on his face...
OT by sootman · 2014-10-28 12:01 · Score: 5, Funny

Dear Slashdot,
I fail to see how the 13-year-old story about game design, "A 'Vow of Chastity' For Game Designers", is a related story, as indicated in the panel below the story between the "previous story" and "next story" links. Seriously, WTF? Less than worthless.

--
Dear Slashdot: next time you want to mess with the site, add a rich-text editor for comments.
Re:Awww, diddums faww down go boom? by Kaenneth · 2014-10-28 12:24 · Score: 4, Funny

No, it went boom, THEN fell down.
Re:Horrible track record by arth1 · 2014-10-28 12:45 · Score: 4, Funny

It's even worse when you notice that their tagline is "Innovation You Can Count On."
One two boom four boom boom seven eight nine boom...
Re:Wasn't aborted by the RSO either by PPH · 2014-10-28 13:38 · Score: 3, Funny

That dog died 40 years ago somewhere in Siberia.

--
Have gnu, will travel.
Re:Awww, diddums faww down go boom? by NormalVisual · 2014-10-28 14:24 · Score: 4, Funny

Actually, it went boom, fell down, and we got a second boom for no added charge.

--
Please stand clear of the doors, por favor mantenganse alejado de las puertas
Re:Horrible track record by sconeu · 2014-10-28 14:31 · Score: 4, Funny

Kind of like Toyota's slogan
"Toyota... Moving forward.... Even when you're jamming on the brakes!"

--
General Relativity: Space-time tells matter where to go; Matter tells space-time what shape to be.
Re:That's the part that "counts" (groan) by Megane · 2014-10-28 14:56 · Score: 5, Funny

And I think the launch pad area might need a fresh coat of paint or something...

--
#naabhaprzrag, #sverubfr-000, #agi-fcbafberq, negvpyr[pynff*=' negvpyr-ary-'] { qvfcynl: abar !vzcbegnag; }
Sabotage by uvajed_ekil · 2014-10-28 15:26 · Score: 3, Funny

Hmm, now who would want to see Orbital fail? Would anyone stand to benefit from that? Any companies that they are competing with for contracts or investment? Hmm...

--
This is a hacked account, for which the owner can not be held responsible.
Re:That's the part that "counts" (groan) by Chris+Mattern · 2014-10-28 22:10 · Score: 4, Funny

Do you know WHY they use 40+ year old Russian engines? Because they are better than anything West has to offer.
Yeah, western engines don't blow up on launch half as well as these do!
Re:That's the part that "counts" (groan) by T.E.D. · 2014-10-29 02:38 · Score: 4, Funny

Do you know WHY they use 40+ year old Russian engines? Because they are better than anything West has to offer... Russians had to blow up something like 30 rockets to get it right.

Make that 31.