Taurus XL experiences anomaly

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Raymond Hoy
  • 30th Space Wing Public Affairs
Vandenberg and NASA officials said the most recent West Coast launch experienced an anomaly minutes after the 1:55 a.m. take-off of a Taurus XL rocket equipped with NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory satellite Feb. 24 from the 576th-E Space Launch Complex here.

The satellite failed to reach orbit. Preliminary indications are that the fairing on the Taurus XL launch vehicle failed to separate. The fairing is a clam shell structure that encapsulates the satellite as it travels through the atmosphere.

A mishap investigation board will immediately be convened to determine the cause of the launch failure.

For more information, go to http://www.nasa.gov.

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