Launch News (FAILURE) Zenit-3SL with Intelsat 27, February 1, 2013

[orb]

RIA Novosti: ‘Faulty Ukrainian Parts’ Blamed for Zenit Launch Failure:

LYTKARINO (Moscow region), February 26 (RIA Novosti) - The crash of a Russian Zenit-3SL rocket earlier this month was caused by defective components manufactured in Ukraine, Ivan Kharchenko, first deputy head of the Russian government's military-industrial commission, said on Tuesday.

The Zenit-3SL, carrying an Intelsat-27 (IS-27) telecoms satellite, crashed into the Pacific Ocean shortly after launch on February 1, following an emergency shutdown of its first-stage engine.

A report presented by Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin to Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev concluded that “the accident was caused by defective blocks manufactured in Ukraine,” Kharchenko said, adding that “there was nothing wrong with the Russian-made equipment.”

{...}

 

[Cosmic Penguin]

Spaceflight Now: Sea Launch rocket failure blamed on hydraulic pump

The hydraulic power supply unit, known by its Russian acronym BIM, failed approximately 3.9 seconds after liftoff due to "abnormal performance" of the pump, which is supposed to pressurize the hydraulic oil supplied to the Zenit rocket's first stage engine gimbal actuators.

During launch, the actuators pivot the Zenit's four-nozzle RD-171M first stage engine, directing the engine's thrust to guide the rocket on the proper trajectory.

"The pump failure was the result of contributing factors associated with a pump manufacturing process that proved difficult to control," Sea Launch said in a statement.

The company said no other contributing causes were found.

I saw Russian discussions about something loose of the size of about a metal bolt have destroyed the turbopump blades just after ignition..... :uhh:

 

[N_Molson]

I saw Russian discussions about something loose of the size of about a metal bolt have destroyed the turbopump blades just after ignition.....

Sadly, this would not be a first... QC control, guys... :facepalm:

 

[MattBaker]

I saw Russian discussions about something loose of the size of about a metal bolt have destroyed the turbopump blades just after ignition..... :uhh:

Which would be a second offender: The failed launch in 2007 with the NSS-8 had debris in the Turbopump, too.

---------- Post added at 04:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:13 PM ----------

Read all posts before posting, Mr Molson :ninja:'d me by a couple of hours.