Russian rocket carrying $200m satellites crashes - video
Setback for Russian space programme as Proton-M rocket veers out of control, breaks up and explodes
ABOUT $200 million of satellite technology was destroyed in seconds this morning after a Russian Proton-M rocket crashed shortly after blasting-off in Kazakhstan.
The rocket was unmanned and no-one on the ground was reported injured after the rocket began twisting, then flying horizontally before breaking up and exploding in a fireball as it struck the ground. The three navigation satellites onboard were valued at about $200 million, The Guardian reports.
Russian news agencies said Kazakh emergency authorities were considering evacuating nearby towns because of the potential threat from toxic rocket fuel burning at the crash site.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The Guardian points out that Russia is ramping up its spending on space projects, but its efforts have been "plagued" in recent years by a series of setbacks. They include botched satellite launches and a failed attempt to send a probe to a moon of Mars.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
7 drinks for every winter need possible
The Week Recommends Including a variety of base spirits and a range of temperatures
By Scott Hocker, The Week US Published
-
'We have made it a crime for most refugees to want the American dream'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published
-
Was the Azerbaijan Airlines plane shot down?
Today's Big Question Multiple sources claim Russian anti-aircraft missile damaged passenger jet, leading to Christmas Day crash that killed at least 38
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published