File photo of the Russian Federal Space Agency logo.
A Russian space rocket has crashed shortly after liftoff in Kazakhstan, spilling highly toxic chemicals near local settlements and destroying its cargo of three navigation satellites.
The rocket blew up into a fiery spectacle only 17 seconds after it took off from the Russian-leased Baikonur launch facility in Kazakhstan on Tuesday, leading to a large spill of highly toxic heptyl propellant and the destruction of three navigation satellites worth USD 200 million.
The Russia Federal Space Agency, Roscosmos, said nobody was injured during the accident, though authorities have yet to report on the status of local settlements that are susceptible to poisonous clouds.
The rocket was carrying approximately 172 metric tons of the lethal chemical at the time of liftoff.
Experts said the accident may have been caused by a problem with the engine or the guidance system, which turned off the emergency switch of the rocket’s engines.
Several failed launches in recent years, including one in 2010 when three satellites were lost, have led to strains in relations between Russia and Kazakhstan.
Russiaâ„¢s space program has been plagued in recent years by setbacks as in 2012 its chief designer was dismissed amid a fraud investigation, as well as suspicions of corruption and embezzlement.
GMA/PR
Republished with permission from:: Press TV