Cygnus CRS3 launch failure

[MartG]

Tonights launch of a Cygnus to the ISS failed, with the vehicle exploding shortly after liftoff

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8S4QfzryTRU&fe...

[Slyjoe]

Oh Cock - I always try to watch the live launches. Quite dramatic.
Thanks for the link.

[MiniMan64]

And people wonder why they cancelled it yesterday "only" because an unauthorised boat was nearby!

[Russ35]

A video of what it looked/sounded like from a viewing area

http://instagram.com/p/utrCAHtI38/

[mybrainhurts]

Oooops...

[Simpo Two]

Newton chalks up another win.

[Slyjoe]

Russ35 said:

A video of what it looked/sounded like from a viewing area

http://instagram.com/p/utrCAHtI38/

Im no expert - but I see the problem there - they shot it sideways.

[HoHoHo]

Ah, Houston we have a problem.......

[HoHoHo]

Ah, Houston we have a problem.......

[Russ35]

Another viewing area video - this one the correct orientation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZ0SgAU9LXI

[Eric Mc]

Russ35 said:

Another viewing area video - this one the correct orientation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZ0SgAU9LXI

I have to say, that is quite scary.

I was quite amazed how close the public can get at Wallops Island.

[Magog]

Russ35 said:

Another viewing area video - this one the correct orientation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZ0SgAU9LXI

Holy Mackerel!

[Russ35]

Press conference coming up soon

http://www.ustream.tv/nasahdtv


And what it looked like from a Cessna @ 3000ft

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zarWT7H9t54

Edited by Russ35 on Wednesday 29th October 00:55

[Muncher]

Magog said:

Holy Mackerel!

"Holy mackerel" indeed!

[TobyLaRohne]

Magog said:

Russ35 said:

Another viewing area video - this one the correct orientation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZ0SgAU9LXI

Holy Mackerel!

Sounds like he is crying...did he have shares in the company or something?

[Eric Mc]

TobyLaRohne said:

Sounds like he is crying...did he have shares in the company or something?

I think it is down to sheer shock. To be actually present when something of this magnitude happens and to directly experience the noise and the actual physicality of it (i.e the punch effect of the shock wave) must be very frightening).
Plus there may be genuine danger from falling debris or noxious fumes and gases.

When the Russian R7 rocket nosedived back to earth shortly after launch last year, in one video you can hear a very similar reaction from one of the observers.

[Caruso]

Looks like an engine failure to me with the exhaust plume changing shortly before the explosion at the bottom of the rocket.

[MiniMan64]

Eric Mc said:

Russ35 said:

Another viewing area video - this one the correct orientation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZ0SgAU9LXI

I have to say, that is quite scary.

I was quite amazed how close the public can get at Wallops Island.

Not that close surely? Looking at that footage from the plane the pad looks a fair distance from where any spectators might be plus the sound delay.

Trust the Americans though for a good few OH MY GOD!!!! OH MY GOD!!!! OH MY GOD!!!!

[TobyLaRohne]

You could always time the explosion to the boom and work out how far away they were pretty accurately.

[Eric Mc]

MiniMan64 said:

Not that close surely? Looking at that footage from the plane the pad looks a fair distance from where any spectators might be plus the sound delay.

Trust the Americans though for a good few OH MY GOD!!!! OH MY GOD!!!! OH MY GOD!!!!

I would say it is less than 6 miles. Canaveral used to have an observation area three miles from Pads 39A and B. After the Challenger acciodent they moved spectators even further away.

The Wallops Island press area looks like it's between 1 and 3 miles - which is pretty close.