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Antares Rocket Explodes On Launch

Posted by Soulskill on 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.

10 of 443 comments (clear)

  1. Flawless Countdown by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Hey, at least they got the hard part right.

  2. Look on the bright side by Chocolate+Teapot · · 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 Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      There's no such thing as a free launch.

    2. Re:Look on the bright side by Nimey · · 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
  3. CNN is reporting by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    no indications of terrorism linked to the destruction of the rocket.

    1. Re:CNN is reporting by Chocolate+Teapot · · 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
  4. Re:There's a reason why... by Chocolate+Teapot · · Score: 5, Funny

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

    --
    Modest doubt is called the beacon of the wise. - William Shakespeare
  5. What I want to know... by Type44Q · · 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...

  6. OT by sootman · · 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.

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    Dear Slashdot: next time you want to mess with the site, add a rich-text editor for comments.
  7. Re:That's the part that "counts" (groan) by Megane · · 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; }