How Much Does a Failed Rocket Launch Cost
On 28th October 2014, an Antares rocket exploded on the launch platform on Wallops Island on the east coast of the USA. The explosion at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport was so powerful that pressure waves knocked onlookers off their feet up to fi ve kilometres away. Constructed by space firm Orbital Sciences, the transporter was loaded with just over two tons of food, technology and mini-satellites bound for the International Space Station. In an effort to save the launch platform, technicians deployed the flight termination system in the rocket’s engine – but to no avail. It was too late. The damage to the destroyed Antares rocket system has been put at US$200 million – not including associated costs such as contract delays and termination fees of around US$100 million. As for repairing the launch platform itself? Well, that’ll cost a cool US$13 million.
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