Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsNASA traced the 2014 Antares failure to an explosion in one engine’s liquid-oxygen turbopump, but its investigators could not establish a single definitive root cause. The engine was a U.S.-modified design derived from a Russian engine—not simply an unmodified “faulty Russian engine.”
What happened to the Antares rocket?
At 6:22 p.m. EDT on October 28, 2014, Orbital Sciences’ Antares rocket lifted off from Pad 0A at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. The Orb-3 mission was carrying a Cygnus spacecraft and cargo to the International Space Station. The vehicle failed shortly after liftoff, fell back to Earth, and was destroyed. The spacecraft and cargo were lost, and the launch pad and supporting facilities were damaged.
Orbital ATK formed an Accident Investigation Board, while NASA established an Independent Review Team (IRT) to examine the technical cause, telemetry, physical evidence, and the company’s investigation. The IRT published its report on October 9, 2015.
What did NASA identify as the immediate failure?
The IRT identified an explosion in the E15 engine’s liquid-oxygen (LO2) turbopump as the proximate cause of the accident. The explosion damaged the adjacent E16 engine. With thrust lost, the rocket could not continue its flight.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →#1 Best Overall
- Manufacturer: Metallic Details
- Material: Resin, photoetch
- Condition: New
- Scale : 1/144
- Type: Aircraft
Investigators described a failure mechanism in which the turbopump rotor lost its radial position. Rotating and stationary parts then rubbed against each other in the Hydraulic Balance Assembly (HBA) seal package, leading to ignition and an LO2 fire inside the turbopump. NASA said proprietary restrictions prevented the report from providing more design detail about the turbopump and HBA.
Why didn’t investigators name one definitive root cause?
The IRT distinguished the observed failure sequence from the underlying reason it began. It concluded that it could not isolate one technical root cause: “The IRT was not able to isolate a single technical root cause for the E15 fire and explosion.” Instead, it identified three credible explanations. Any one, or a combination, could have led to the failure.
Rank #2
- BEGINNER MODEL-ROCKET LAUNCH SET: The Tandem-X rocket-model launch set offers adults and kids ages 10+ hours of fun during the holidays as they complete and launch our Amazon and Crossfire ISX rocket models. This set includes the easy-to-assemble Amazon model parts, the Crossfire ISX model parts, parachutes, and the launch pad system. It requires rocket engines, Starters, Recovery Wadding, and 4 high-quality 1.5-volt AA alkaline batteries for launch use (sold separately).
- 2 SOARING ALTITUDE HEIGHTS: Our Tandem X set offers a high-performing power duo with our giant 30-inch Amazon model (600-foot projected altitude with a C6-5 rocket engine) and our streamlined 15.6-inch Crossfire ISX model (1,150-foot projected altitude with a C6-7 rocket engine). Other compatible Estes model-rocket engines for Amazon model: B4-2, B4-4, B6-2, B6-4, C5-3, and C6-3. Other compatible engines for Crossfire ISX: A8-3, B4-4, B6-4, and C6-5. All engines sold separately.
- READY TO ASSEMBLE: Our beginner model-rocket launch set comes with 2 build options. The precolored Amazon model features plastic fins and self-stick graphics and can be built in an hour. The Crossfire ISX model comes with laser-cut wood fins, self-stick decals, and aerodynamic parts. Pair the rockets with the included Porta Pad II Launch Pad and Electron Beam Launch Controller for a hands-on educational activity or a unique Christmas gift for a budding scientist or a space aficionado.
- SAFETY FIRST, FUN ALWAYS: Our rockets and rocket launch accessories are designed to be used with the NAR (National Association of Rocketry) model-rocket safety code. Always ensure you have an appropriate launch site, stand back at least 15 ft., insert the safety key, issue a countdown, and then you can let your rocket fly!
- WE IGNITE IMAGINATIONS: Since 1958, Estes has created educational rocket kits and displays designed for an unforgettable aerospace experience. As a family-owned company, we have grown to offer exciting STEM products that engage aspiring rocketeers and the future minds of aerospace.
| Possible contributor | What the IRT found | What the finding does—and does not—establish |
|---|---|---|
| Design robustness | The HBA and turbine-end bearing design made bearing loads difficult to manage and left the area vulnerable to oxygen fires and failures under Antares operating conditions. The IRT also found that a thorough delta-qualification program had not been performed for the AJ26’s planned Antares configuration. | A credible design-related cause; not proof that design alone triggered this accident. |
| Foreign-object debris (FOD) | Investigators found titanium and silica debris in E15 but could not establish how much was present before the explosion. | A possible contributor, but the IRT found no clear forensic evidence that FOD directly or indirectly caused the failure. |
| Manufacturing or workmanship defect | Investigators found a turbine-housing bearing-bore defect that did not meet baseline design requirements. They determined it had been introduced during machining, before acceptance testing and the Orb-3 launch. | A documented defect and credible contributor—not a demonstrated sole cause. |
The IRT said the machining defect and FOD could have increased the likelihood of a failure associated with the engine design and Antares operating conditions. That leaves an important distinction: the defect was real, but the investigation did not prove that it alone caused the explosion.
Was the AJ26 a Russian engine?
The Antares used AJ26 engines based on the Russian NK-33, a core designed and manufactured in the early 1970s for the Soviet N-1 lunar program. Aerojet-Rocketdyne modified the NK-33 configuration for U.S. launch vehicles. In Antares service, the engines operated differently from their original intended N-1 use, including at higher power and with engine gimballing.
Rank #3
- ICONIC NASA ARTEMIS I ROCKET MODEL KIT - Recreate the historic Artemis I mission with this highly detailed 1:144 scale Space Launch System (SLS)—a must-have for space enthusiasts, collectors, and model builders.
- AUTHENTIC MULTI-STAGE DETAILING - Features twin solid rocket boosters, detailed core stage with external hydrogen lines, separate stage assembly, and four RS‑25 engines for a realistic, true-to-life build.
- IMPRESSIVE 28" DISPLAY CENTERPIECE - Standing nearly 28 inches tall, this model delivers a striking vertical display that commands attention in any room, office, or collection.
- SKILL LEVEL 4 – ADVANCED BUILD EXPERIENCE - Designed for experienced hobbyists ages 12+ seeking a challenging, rewarding project with intricate parts and detailed assembly.
- READY FOR CUSTOM PAINT FINISH - Molded in light gray plastic so you can paint and detail to your exact preferences for a museum-quality appearance. (Paint & glue required, not included.)
So “Russian engine” describes the NK-33 lineage, but it leaves out the U.S. modifications and the Antares configuration examined by NASA. The IRT’s findings do not establish Russian origin, the engine’s age, or any one modification as the definitive cause.
What was lost, and what did the mission represent?
The accident destroyed the Antares rocket, Cygnus spacecraft, and all cargo aboard. NASA’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) described Orbital’s original Commercial Resupply Services contract as worth $1.9 billion and covering 18.6 metric tons of planned cargo deliveries over eight flights. Those are historical figures reported by the OIG in 2015, not current contract terms.
Rank #4
- Detailed markings
- Launch tower
- Detailed launchin pad
- Non assembled plastic model kit
What did investigators recommend afterward?
In its 2015 report, the IRT recommended that AJ26 engines not be relied on for additional missions without more thorough inspection, qualification, acceptance testing, and certification. It also recommended a thorough qualification and acceptance-test program for the RD-181 engine that Orbital ATK had identified as the AJ26 replacement. These were recommendations made in response to the 2014 accident; they should not be read as a description of present-day Antares operations.
Separately, NASA’s 2015 OIG audit raised programmatic concerns about the then-proposed return-to-flight plan, including limited opportunities for qualification and certification and no planned test flight for the modified system. Those oversight concerns were distinct from the IRT’s technical findings about why E15 failed.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallQuick Recap
Best Value
- EXPERT MODEL-ROCKET-BUILDING KIT: The Estes Gemini Titan allows ages 10+ and highly skilled rocket building enthusiasts to create a 1:48 scale kit. It includes the rocket parts, design decals, recovery parachute, and instructions. It requires Estes rocket engines, starters, recovery wadding, launch pad system, and 4 high-quality 1.5-volt AA alkaline batteries (sold separately).
- SOARS UP TO 350 FT.: The Gemini Titan is powered by a two-engine cluster delivers a launch that commands attention. It has a projected altitude of 350 ft. (107 m) with two C5-3 Estes model rocket engines (sold separately).
- READY TO ASSEMBLE: This expert rocket kit presents a rewarding challenge that requires expert building skills and 3+ hours of assembly time. Then pair it with the Estes Porta-Pad II Launch Pad woth a 3/16" Lauch Rod and Pro Series Launch Controller (sold separately).
- SAFETY FIRST, FUN ALWAYS: Our rockets and rocket launch accessories are designed to be used with the NAR (National Association of Rocketry) model-rocket safety code. Always ensure you have an appropriate launch site, stand back at least 15 ft., insert the safety key, issue a countdown, and then you can let your rocket fly!
- WE IGNITE IMAGINATIONS: Since 1958, Estes has created educational rocket kits designed for an unforgettable launch experience. As a family-owned company, we have grown to offer exciting STEM products that engage aspiring rocketeers and the future minds of aerospace.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
