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NASA: Rocket probably in ocean after failed launch

NewsCentral Staff

Story Created: Mar 4, 2011 at 6:31 PM EDT

Story Updated: Mar 4, 2011 at 6:31 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) - NASA says it looks like the rocket carrying an Earth-observation satellite is in the Pacific Ocean after a failed launch attempt.

The Taurus XL rocket carrying NASA's Glory satellite lifted off around 2:10 a.m. PST from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

But NASA said in a brief statement that a protective shell or fairing atop the rocket did not separate from the satellite as it should have about three minutes after the launch.

That left the Glory spacecraft without the velocity to reach orbit.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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