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Russian Proton space rockets grounded for 3.5 months over faulty engines | Russian Proton space rockets grounded for 3.5 months over faulty engines |
(5 months later) | |
Russia’s Proton-M rockets will be grounded for over three months because of flaws in the engines’ production, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin announced, while calling for an investigation. | Russia’s Proton-M rockets will be grounded for over three months because of flaws in the engines’ production, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin announced, while calling for an investigation. |
Kommersant newspaper reported on Wednesday that the Russian space agency has decided to recall all Proton-M engines due to problems spotted during tests. A follow-up investigation revealed that “illiquid components” have been used that cannot withstand extremely high temperatures. | Kommersant newspaper reported on Wednesday that the Russian space agency has decided to recall all Proton-M engines due to problems spotted during tests. A follow-up investigation revealed that “illiquid components” have been used that cannot withstand extremely high temperatures. |
On Saturday, Rogozin visited the Voronezh Mechanical Plant (VMP), the producer of the Proton-M engines, and called for an investigation. He tweeted that the production process had been halted and that at least three Proton-M rockets will have to be unassembled. | On Saturday, Rogozin visited the Voronezh Mechanical Plant (VMP), the producer of the Proton-M engines, and called for an investigation. He tweeted that the production process had been halted and that at least three Proton-M rockets will have to be unassembled. |
“All those responsible for the substitution of technology and documentation will be strictly punished. Three ‘Proton-M’ will be dismantled. The engines of the second and third stages replaced,” Rogozin wrote. | “All those responsible for the substitution of technology and documentation will be strictly punished. Three ‘Proton-M’ will be dismantled. The engines of the second and third stages replaced,” Rogozin wrote. |
Rogozin said that people who allowed the technical problems to slip through “knew perfectly well what their actions could lead to accidents, perhaps even death.” | Rogozin said that people who allowed the technical problems to slip through “knew perfectly well what their actions could lead to accidents, perhaps even death.” |
“I am asking for the toughest internal investigation to be conducted,” he said after meeting with the heads of VMP. | “I am asking for the toughest internal investigation to be conducted,” he said after meeting with the heads of VMP. |
In another Twitter post, the official said that Proton-M launches “will be resumed in three and a half months.” One had been set for February. | In another Twitter post, the official said that Proton-M launches “will be resumed in three and a half months.” One had been set for February. |
In June of last year, the Proton-M successfully launched an Intelsat 31/DLA-2 communications satellite from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. | |
However, the rocket has also had its share of incidents over the past years. The latest, in May 2014, was due to a technical failure in the rocket’s assembly. | However, the rocket has also had its share of incidents over the past years. The latest, in May 2014, was due to a technical failure in the rocket’s assembly. |
Roscosmos has confirmed that “a required check” will be put in place in light of the problems exposed at VMP. | Roscosmos has confirmed that “a required check” will be put in place in light of the problems exposed at VMP. |
READ MORE: Russia may supply components for Iranian satellites | READ MORE: Russia may supply components for Iranian satellites |
Investigators are now looking at how the technical failures could have slipped by numerous monitoring specialists without being spotted, Kommersant reports. | Investigators are now looking at how the technical failures could have slipped by numerous monitoring specialists without being spotted, Kommersant reports. |
Investigators are now checking to see if the “substitution” of engine parts may be related to the fact that they are made precious metals, Interfax reported, quoting a source close to the inquiry. | Investigators are now checking to see if the “substitution” of engine parts may be related to the fact that they are made precious metals, Interfax reported, quoting a source close to the inquiry. |
The news agency also notes that the scandal could result in the delay of several satellite launches, including that of a military satellite called ‘Blagovest.’ | The news agency also notes that the scandal could result in the delay of several satellite launches, including that of a military satellite called ‘Blagovest.’ |
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