BAIKONUR. Feb 1 (Interfax-AVN) - The failed launch of the Zenit rocket as part of the Sea Launch program may lead to the suspension of preparations for all rocket launches of this type, a source at Baikonur told Interfax on Friday.
In accordance with the procedures existing in the Russian rocket and space industry, a failed rocket launch suspends the launches of all rockets of this modification until the emergency commission completes its work and until the proposals on eliminating the causes of the failed launch and increasing the reliability of the rocket are fulfilled, the source said.
Roscosmos will form commissions to investigate the failed launch of the Zenit-3SL, and the investigation may take from one month to 2-3 months, the source said. All work on the programs involving the Zenit rocket will be suspended for that time, the source said.
Two Zenit-3SLB are currently in Baikonur. They are expected to be used in the launches of the Electro-L N2 Russian meteorological satellite and the Amos-4 Israeli telecommunications spacecraft.
"Naturally, the work on this program will not begin until the commission issues its decision and until Roscosmos lifts the ban on launches," the source said.