A Russian Zenit-3SL carrying rocket failed to send telecommunications satellite into space and fell into the Pacific Ocean on Friday, local media reported. The Zenit-3SL failed immediately after it lift-off from a sea launch pad at 10: 56 Moscow time (0656 GMT) and the RD-171 booster was automatically switched off, local media reported. The rocket fell into the Pacific ocean not far away from the Odyssey sea launch pad, which was operated by the Sea Launch consortium.
The launch was delayed due to request from the U.S. as satellite was built by the U.S. Boeing corporation with a designed life span of 15 years. Russia's Mission Control Center has confirmed the launch failure and formed a commission to probe into the accident, local media reported.
A press officer from the Energomash told Xinhua the company refrains from commenting on the cause of the accident until an investigation is conducted.
Founded in 1995, the Sea Launch consortium was made up by four companies from Norway, Russia, Ukraine and the United States, with the Russian company holding 95 percent of the shares.