Rocket Takeoff Risks

Abstract

The empirical rocket take-off record was examined in this chapter. A total of 31 takeoff problems was documented. Attempted but unsuccessful take-offs by Americans, Soviets, Russians, French, Israelis and South Koreans were documented. Private sector failed take-offs afflicted private firms like Ariannespace, STC, U.S. Aerospace, Armadillo Aerospace, Space-X, Scaled Composites and others. Failed takeoffs in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s were documented.

Keywords: Alliant Techsystems, American, Ariannespace, Armadillo Aerospace, Delta- III, French, French Guiana, Israel, Kennedy Space Center, Scientific American, South Korea, Space Transportation Corporation, take-offs, Titan-IV, Soviet, Rubicon I, U.S. Aerospace, Wallops Island, Virginia, X-Cup, XCup Foundation.