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Contact:
Christine Nelson |
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Contact:
Christine Nelson |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
97-14
CAPE CANAVERAL AIR STATION, Fla., Jan. 17, 1997 -- At 11:28 a.m. EST today the U.S. Air Force launched a McDonnell Douglas-built Delta II rocket from Launch Complex 17-A at Cape Canaveral Air Station, Fla. An anomaly occurred approximately 12 seconds into powered flight. The vehicle self-destructed, then the flight control officer sent precautionary destruct functions at 21 seconds into flight, when it ceased powered flight. Vehicle components fell into a cleared safety area in the Atlantic Ocean and onto the Air Station.
No personnel were injured. No estimate on the damage is available at this time, and an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the mishap.
There is no immediate impact to the Global Positioning System satellite constellation as a result of the unsuccessful launch today. The next planned launch of a Delta rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., next week will be postponed until the investigation is complete.