As he informed the Center of Control of Spatial Flights (CCVE) of Russia, the rocket Zenit-3SL exploded seconds after the throwing. The throwing of the Zenit-3SL was transmitted in real-time by Internet and the emission was interrupted when the bearer turned into an enormous fire-ball. Sources of the international consortium There Is Launch, person in charge of the throwing, they reported that the explosion of the Zenit-3Sl produced victims neither between his personnel nor damages neither to the platform nor to the ships of support.

These sources did not move forward possible causes of the explosion of the rocket and announced the creation of an experts' commission to investigate the motives of the accident.

The throwing of the Zenit-3Sl was the first one of this year and the fourth frustrated throwing of this type of rockets made by companies of Russia and Ukraine.

The blast-off of the Zenit-3Sl was postponed in several occasions by the bad weather in the area where the floating ramp is.

The satellite NSS-8, constructed by Boeing, belongs to the company SES New Skies and it was destined to give communication services to countries of Europe, Africa, Middle East, the Indian subcontinent and Asia. In particular, the satellite, which had been to exist posicionado to 56th East, was provided with 36 transpondedores in band Ku and 56 repeaters in band C. It had the target to replace in this position the NSS 703.

The consortium Is Launch it is integrated by the American Boeing, the Russian Energy, the British-Norwegian society Kvaerner Group and the Ukrainians Yúzhnoye and Yuzhmash. The bearers Zenit-3SL are thrown from an area of the Pacific Ocean on the equatorial line with help of a ramp of throwing located in the floating platform "Ulises" and a ship where the center of control is.


(Several, 31/01/07)