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Taurus XL experiences anomaly
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Vandenberg and NASA officials experienced an anomaly minutes after the 1:55 a.m. launch of a Taurus XL rocket equipped with NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory satellite today from the 576th-E Space Launch Complex here.
The satellite failed to reach orbit. Preliminary indications are that the fairing on the Taurus XL launch vehicle failed to separate. The fairing is a clam shell structure that encapsulates the satellite as it travels through the atmosphere.
A mishap investigation board will immediately be convened to determine the cause of the launch failure.
For more information, go to http://www.nasa.gov.