A new unmanned rocket built for the U.S. Air Forcehas failedmoments after launching . name the Super Strypi , the small rocket was lifting 13 satellites into electron orbit as part of the ORS-4 mission before it twirl out of control .
Telemetry showed the rocket seeminglyspinning wildlyat high altitude just a second or so after the launch , before a springy stream showing the event went vacuous . Amateur footage , though , shows the bit that the rocket is believed to have neglect , and afterwards possibly exploded .
" The ORS-4 deputation on an experimental Super Strypi launching fomite failed in mid - flight curtly after liftoff at 5:45 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time ( 7:45 p.m. PST ; 10:45 p.m. EST ) today from the Pacific Missile Range Facility off Barking Sands , Kauai , Hawaii , " the U.S. Air Force say in a statement run into bySpaceflight Now . " Additional selective information will be released as it becomes useable . "
An amateur video recording of the launch above seem to show it fail at the end . Credit : Mason Weitzel .
The launching took place at 22:45 p.m. EST ( 5:45 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time ) yesterday eve , 3:45 a.m. GMT this morning . The inaugural launch of the $ 45 million ( £ 29 million ) rocket , which measures 17 meters ( 56 base ) in height and just 79 centimeters ( 31 column inch ) wide , was one of two plan orbital trial flights . The Super Strypi is intended as a low - toll method acting to reach space , with a quick turnaround allowing for fleet launching at fairly brusk bill .
The Super Strypi is also have intercourse as the Spaceborne Payloads Assist Rocket Kauai ( SPARK ) , and is part of the Low Earth revolve Nanosatellite Integrated Defense Autonomous System ( LEONIDAS ) program . The 13 small satellite it was carry on this launch were for introduction such as the University of Hawaii and NASA .
It ’s not clear when a second attempt at flying will be made ; a review of the failure on this trajectory will be call for before that can happen .
The video below shows the view on board when the rocket spun out of control in orbit . SpaceVids.tv
