Media Contacts
Josh Buck
Rachel Kraft
Stephanie Schierholz
Human Exploration and Operations
NASA Headquarters
202-358-1100
Dan Huot
International Space Station
Johnson Space Center
281-483-5111
Keith Koehler
Launch Range
Wallops Flight Facility
757-824-1579
NASA Statement Regarding Oct. 28 Orbital Sciences Corp. Launch Failure
The following statement is from William Gerstenmaier, Associate Administrator of NASA’s Human Exploration and Operations Directorate, regarding the launch failure that occurred at Pad 0A of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia during the attempted launch of Orbital Sciences Corp’s Antares rocket and Cygnus cargo spacecraft at 6:22 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28.
“While NASA is disappointed that Orbital Sciences' third contracted resupply mission to the International Space Station was not successful today, we will continue to move forward toward the next attempt once we fully understand today's mishap. The crew of the International Space Station is in no danger of running out of food or other critical supplies.
“Orbital has demonstrated extraordinary capabilities in its first two missions to the station earlier this year, and we know they can replicate that success. Launching rockets is an incredibly difficult undertaking, and we learn from each success and each setback. Today's launch attempt will not deter us from our work to expand our already successful capability to launch cargo from American shores to the International Space Station.”
Image: The Orbital Sciences Corporation Antares rocket, with the Cygnus spacecraft onboard suffers a catastrophic anomaly moments after launch from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Pad 0A, Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2014, at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. Credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky
› NASA’s Orbital webpage
› Video of NASA news conference following mishap
Orbital Features
Orbital Images
Orbital Press Releases
Antares, CRS-3 Debris
Damage related to the Oct. 28 launch attempt of an Antares rocket was contained to the hazard area, but there may have been a scattering of debris. Public safety is our No. 1 priority. If people find debris in the vicinity of the launch, please stay away and call the Incident Response Team at 757-824-1295.
Orbital Sciences Videos
Media Resources
Orbital CRS-3
› Press Kit (467 Kb PDF)
› Mission Overview (178 Kb PDF)
› Briefings and Events Coverage
› Launch Viewing Map – Elevation
› Launch Viewing Map – First Sight
Orbital CRS-2
› Press Kit (852 Kb PDF)
› Fact Sheet (486 Kb PDF)
› Briefings and Events Coverage
› Launch Viewing Map – Elevation
› Launch Viewing Map – First Sight
› Launch Graphics
Orbital Demonstration Mission
› NASA Television Coverage for Cygnus Capture and Berthing
› NASA Television Coverage for Demonstration Mission
› Media Schedule of Events
› Orbital Sciences Briefing Graphics
› Orbital Sciences Briefing Video
› Demonstration Mission Animation
› Demonstration Mission Highlights
› Orbital Sciences Official Web Site
› Commercial Orbital Transportation Services Fact Sheet (409 KB PDF)
General Resources
› Orbital Sciences Official Web Site