You're reading: Russia makes no claims on Ukraine in Zenit-3SL rocket crash, says official

Dnipropetrovsk – Russia has made no claims to Ukraine with regard to the failed launch of a Zenit-3SL rocket carrying the U.S. communications satellite Intelsat-27 on February 1, 2013, in the Sea Launch program, and the final conclusions on the investigation into the failed launch will be drawn up in April, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Yuriy Boiko has said.

“The commission will finish its work and the final conclusions [regarding causes for the crash] will be presented on April 4. We have partner relations with Russia, we have common problems, and two stages were Russia’s. Any reproofs or ultimatums are out of the question,” he told journalists following a meeting with the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) officials at the Pivdenmash rocket manufacturer (Dnipropetrovsk).

Preliminary conclusions have been drawn about reasons for the unsuccessful mission. They will help prevent similar accidents in the Sea Launch program. Boiko said four Sea Launch missions had been planned for the near future.

“We will bring back two rockets from Baikonur to run complete checks on the unit, which causes doubts,” he said. Ukraine will render organizational and technical support to ensure the security of the unit, the deputy premier said.

“Preparations have been made. We will not thwart space production plans,” he said.

A Zenit rocket, carrying an Intelsat-27 telecom satellite under the Sea Launch Program, crashed during launch on February 1, 2013. It splashed down in the Pacific Ocean, several kilometers away from the launch site.

On February 26, 2013, Ukrainian Pivdenne Design Bureau confirmed preliminary findings indicating that the failed launch of a Zenit-3SL rocket on February 1, 2013, was due to a malfunction of an onboard power unit developed by the Pivdenne Design Bureau and manufactured by the Pivdenmash rocket manufacturer.