On January 31, 2013 at 22:56 PST, the Zenit-3SL launch vehicle, carrying the American Intelsat IS-27 satellite, lifted off from the ocean-going platform in the Pacific near Christmas Island. Early into ascent, the launch vehicle lost stability, and the control system commanded the propulsion shutdown.

No one from the launch support personnel was injured. The launch platform sustained no damage and will sail back to the Home Port as planned.

Failure-review boards to investigate the unsuccessful launch and find the cause of this incident are now in place at the companies participating in Sea Launch program: Yuzhnoye SDO, RSC Energia, SE PA Yuzhmash, NPO Energomash, Boeing, and others. Specialists keep analyzing the received telemetry.

The engine and the control system ensured that the launch vehicle flew away from the launch platform and that the engine was shut down automatically.

The rocket fell into the ocean several kilometers from the launch pad. No environmental harm was done because the Zenit rocket burns environmentally friendly propellants.

An analysis of the rocket systems operation and relevant manufacturing documentation continues, which will allow finding the root cause of the failed launch.

Yuzhnoye Public Relations Center