Satellite tumbles in orbit
NZPA-AP Cape Canaveral A communications satellite launched for the 108nation International Telecommunications Satellite Organisation tumbled out of control over the Atlantic Ocean yesterday after it had been launched by a new model of Atlas-Centaur rocket. The missile lifted off right on schedule and everything went well for 23 minutes when suddenly the Centaur upper stage went out of control. The launch control centre reported that the Centaur and the attached satellite were tumbling.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration did net immediately know what caused the malfunction.
The two attached vehicles were orbiting about 193 miles above the Earth, N.A.S.A. officials reported. The intent was to place the satellite in a stationary orbit 22,300 miles high. The 1.T.5.0. paid N.A.S.A. SUS6O million ($92.4 million) to launch the satellite, which was worth SUS3O million ($46.2 million). With 12,000 voice channels and two colour television channels, it was to have joined 15 other satellites serving the organisation. It was the first launching of the new lengthened model of the Atlas-Centaur. The body of the first-stage Atlas had been extended, allowing the booster to carry an additional 15 tonnes of fuel.
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Press, 11 June 1984, Page 1
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192Satellite tumbles in orbit Press, 11 June 1984, Page 1
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