Two days ago Russia retaliated against US sanctions by banning the US from using the International Space Station after 2020, and by barring the use of Russian rockets as launch vehicles for US military satellites. Then, moments ago, a Russian Proton rocket, carrying Russia's most advanced and powerful satellite on board, crashed on take off, during the activation of the third rocket stage some 9 minutes into the launch. Coincidence? Surely.RT reports:
A Russian Proton rocket with advanced satellite on board crashed outside of Kazakhstan's territory after lift-off, RIA Novosti cited a source as saying.
There are so far no reports of damage or casualties.
All other launches of Proton-type rockets will be halted at Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan until the reason for the crash is determined, a source told RIA Novosti.
There was an emergency engines shutdown on the 540th second following the launch, the Russian Federal Space Agency said, as quoted by Itar-Tass.
*The Proton rocket, carrying an advanced Express-AM4R satellite, was launched on schedule from Baikonur on Friday.*
*The Express-AM4R would have been Russia’s most advanced and powerful satellite. *
A summary of the destroyed Express-AM4R:
The advanced Express-AM4R satellite is manufactured on RSCC’ order by EADS Astrium within the framework of the Russian Federal Space Program for 2006-2015. The satellite will provide TV & Radio broadcasting, broadband Internet access, multimedia services, telephony, mobile communications.
The satellite is planned for launch in 2014.
Footprint:
So an emergency engine shutdown? Was the shutdown activated by a certain Fort Meade agency by any chance? We hope to find out shortly, because whether this was indeed industrial sabotage or will simply be spun as one (to avoid the stigma of incompetence)?
To be sure, if the Kremlin finds a microchip with "Stuxnet wuz here" etched into the Gallium-Arsenide, things are about to get even more interesting. Reported by Zero Hedge 6 hours ago.