"Proton-M" collapsed due to the elementary error of collectors

The accident of the Proton-M launch vehicle with the DM-03 acceleration unit and three Russian navigation spacecraft Glonass-M, which occurred on July 2 on Baikonur, occurred due to the elementary error of collectors. This was reported by Interfax with reference to a source close to the commission, which conducts an investigation into the incident. As the agency’s interlocutor said, the collectors when connecting confused the pole of angular velocity sensors. Because of this, the Proton-M management system received incorrect data on its orientation.

According to the source of the agency, a comprehensive check of the rocket was to be performed twice - at the manufacturer and on Baikonur. Nevertheless, the error in connecting the sensors was not both times noticed.

Versions about breakdowns in the engines of the first stage and in the equipment of the starting complex were rejected by the commission, the interlocutor of Interfax added.

"Proton-M" fell in the first minute of the flight. There were no victims and destruction at the starting complex.

Meanwhile, the Kazakhstan opposition last week demanded to close the training grounds rented by Russia, as well as to suspend launches at the Baikonur cosmodrome, until the causes of the Proton-M accident are established. The incident caused damage to the country's ecology, as a result of which new prerequisites for the diseases of thousands of local residents were created, ”the statement of the Azat party (“ Free ”) Bolat Abylov said at a press conference in Alma-Ata.

On July 2, about 10 civilian activists held a protest rally from the Russian consulate in Alma-Ata. They prepared an appeal to Russia with a request to completely stop the launches of any launch vehicles of all types from the Baikonur cosmodrome until the causes of the accident, the completion of the decontamination of toxic substances and complete compensation for economic and environmental damage caused to local residents. They also demanded the closure of all Russian military training grounds in Kazakhstan.