04.07 Russia Investigates Failed Proton Rocket Launch
MOSCOW, July 4 (RIA Novosti) Russia has launched a criminal investigation into the failed launch earlier this week of a Proton-M space rocket that has sparked renewed doubts about the efficiency of the Russian space industry.
Agents from the branch of Russias Investigative Committee at the Baikonur space center will question space program officials to determine whether safety rules were violated ahead of the unsuccessful launch.
Investigators are examining the relevant documentation, and questioning officials who were in charge of the preparation and the launch of the rocket, the committees spokesman Vladimir Markin told reporters.
A number of forensic experiments may be ordered to establish the exact cause of the accident, he said.
The Proton-M rocket was carrying three Glonass navigation satellites when it exploded shortly after launch early on Tuesday from the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan.
