Looking for answers: Orbital Sciences seeks cause of rocket explosion

Crews planned to hit the ground at daybreak Wednesday to search for pieces of Orbital Sciences Corp.’s Antares rocket and Cygnus cargo module, which blew up Tuesday night just moments after lifting off from NASA’s launch complex at Wallops Island, Virginia. The cargo ship was carrying 5,000 pounds of experiments and equipment for NASA, as well as pre-packaged meals and freeze-dried Maryland crab cakes for a Baltimore-born astronaut who’s been in orbit for five months. Meantime, officials warned that the capsule was carrying hazardous materials and warned residents to avoid any contact with debris.

Certainly don’t go souvenir hunting along the beach.

Frank Culbertson, Orbital Sciences’ executive vice president

This was the second launch attempt for the mission. Monday evening’s try was thwarted by a stray sailboat in the rocket’s danger zone—ironically, the restrictions are in case of just such an accident that occurred Tuesday. The top priority will be repairing the launch pad as quickly and safely as possible, officials said. Tuesday’s planned flight was to be the third of eight under the company’s $1.9 billion contract with NASA.

We will not fly until we understand the root cause. … We will understand what happened—hopefully soon—and we’ll get things back on track.

Frank Culbertson

Science Antares