Today in Space! MAY eight, 1962: Centaur rocket explodes throughout the maiden flight

On May 8, 1962, NASA's new Centaur rocket exploded in point throughout its 1st take a look at flight. The Centaur was associate higher stage specially designed to launch heavier payloads into orbit. Since its 1st launch, it flew on associate Atlas rocket booster.

The rising from promontory went well initially. Then fifty four seconds later, The Centaur suddenly exploded. each The Centaur and also the Atlas disintegrated at associate altitude of nearly thirty,000 feet (9,000 meters).

An investigation determined that the insulation panels round the liquid element fuel tank could not stand up to the pressure throughout the flight, that the tank burst. This was the primary rocket launch to use liquid element in its system.

NASA redesigned The Centaur and launched its 1st sure-fire take a look at flight the subsequent year. completely different versions of The Centaur have since been accustomed launch missions throughout the system.