Living in Peace and Wisdom on our Planet

PASADENA – NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory satellite failed to reach orbit after its 1:55 a.m. PST liftoff Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2009 from California's Vandenberg Air Force Base.

Preliminary indications are that the fairing on the Taurus XL launch vehicle failed to separate. The fairing is a clamshell structure that encapsulates the satellite as it travels through the atmosphere.

A Mishap Investigation Board will be immediately convened to determine the cause of the launch failure.

For more information, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov

Alan Buis 818-653-8339
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.
Alan.buis@jpl.nasa.gov

Steve Cole 202-657-2194
NASA Headquarters, Washington
Stephen.e.cole@nasa.gov

George Diller 805-605-3051
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
George.h.diller@nasa.gov