5 Jul 2013 13:07

Roscosmos: several theories of Proton rocket crash under consideration

MOSCOW. July 5 (Interfax) - The failure review oversight commission is considering malfunctions of the launch pad, the rocket control system and the first stage engine as possible causes of the Proton-M rocket crash, Roscosmos head Vladimir Popovkin told reporters on Friday.

"There are a number of theories and we have ruled out nothing for now. It could be [a malfunction] of the launch pad hardware, the rocket control system and the first stage engine," Popovkin said.

The commission has not rejected any theories as yet, he said.

A commission group will evaluate the effects of all the possible causes, he said.

"In short, we have various theories and need to test them with experiments," Popovkin said.