15 Jul 2013 12:35

Proton-M sensor unit might have been installed "upside down" - source

MOSCOW. July 15 (Interfax-AVN) - Erroneous installation of an angular velocity sensor unit might have caused the crash of the Proton-M rocket carrying three Glonass-M satellites, a source close to the investigative commission told Interfax-AVN on Monday.

"The commission is inclined to believe that erroneous installation of the angular velocity sensor unit might have caused the accident. They might have installed the unit upside down, at a 180 degree angle," the source said.

In that case, the rocket was receiving false orientation data from the sensor unit, he said.