P 72
Spacecraft · USA
Original archive entry. The text, images and links below are kept as they were written.
Credit: Manufacturer Image
American military technology satellite. Unknown satellite lost on a single Atlas launch failure. Evidently not repeated.
Related
- Country
- USA
- Launch Sites
- Vandenberg, Vandenberg SLC3W
- Agency
- USAF
Chronology
1 event
1975 April 13
00:51 GMT - . Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: Vandenberg SLC3W. LV Family: Atlas. Launch Vehicle: Atlas F. FAILURE: First stage failure due to explosion in flame pit at lift-off.. Failed Stage: 1.- P 72-2 - .
Nation: USA.
Agency: USAF.
Class: Technology.
Type: Military technology satellite. Spacecraft Bus: P.
Spacecraft: P 72.
Decay Date: 1975-04-12 .
Space Test Program flight P72-2 was launched; it carried two infrared radiometers and three other payloads. The launch failed when the Atlas F launch vehicle malfunctioned. A lack of deluge water and collection in the flame bucket of a kerosene/liquid oxygen gel led to the explosion of the gel on lift-off, damaging one of the Atlas engines and leading to complete engine failure during the ascent.