Space

This is the first time an Air Force investigative board has released information from a modern space launch mishap so soon after an accident. The move is in step with the Air Force Space Launch Mishap policy implemented Feb. 18, 1998, according to Maj. Gen. Robert C. Hinson, Accident Investigation Board president. Hinson said data is still being evaluated and conclusions should not be drawn from the videos and photos.

The Titan IVA mishap occurred 40 seconds into launch when the vehicle, carrying a National Reconnaissance Office payload, started to self-destruct. Seconds later mission flight control officers sent command destruct signals. Air Force investigators have been appointed to try to determine a cause of the incident.

As for progress of the investigation, Hinson said two significant items have occurred. The Range Operations Control Center Instrumentation was released to the 45^th Space Wing on Aug. 21. Additionally, Launch Complex 41 was returned to the wing on Aug. 27.

The Navy-led debris salvaging operation is ongoing, according to Hinson. So far, the search and salvage team has recovered more than 300 items from the launch vehicle and satellite that have been secured, catalogued and stored for the investigation.

Hinson said he’s appreciative of the assistance provided by these organizations and by the general public who have helped identify debris suspected of being from the Titan IVA mishap. "We appreciate the help in collecting items that may have washed ashore," he said. "Again, we would like people to call the 45^th Space Wing command post at (407) 494-7001 and report the location of those items. For safety reasons, we urge you not to pick up any debris."