Why space rockets fail during launch or in space: reasons and expert opinions

Space exploration has always been an incredible feat of engineering and human ingenuity. However, even with careful planning, things can go wrong, leading to catastrophic failures during rocket launches or in space. In this article, we explore the reasons for these failures, showing the opinions of astronauts, engineers and space agencies.

Why rockets fail

There are several reasons why rockets can fail during launch or in space. These include structural problems, power plant malfunctions, guidance system errors, and even external factors such as space debris. Each failure not only costs millions of dollars, but also delays critical space missions.

A practical example: notable missile failures

SpaceX's Falcon 9

Astronauts: none (unmanned mission)

Cost: approx. $62 million to launch

Location: Kennedy Space Center, Florida, USA

Reason: Structural failure due to a faulty rack on the second stage

Result: The rocket disintegrated during liftoff, resulting in the loss of a resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS).

Russian "Soyuz MS-10".

Astronauts: Nick Haig, Oleksiy Ovchynin

Cost: approx. $80 million to launch

Location: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan

Cause: Sensor failure during booster separation

Summary: The mission was aborted mid-flight and the astronauts made an emergency landing.

Arianespace 5

Astronauts: none (unmanned mission)

Cost: approx. $165 million to launch

Location: Guiana Space Center, Kourou, French Guiana

Cause: A software error caused incorrect data to be entered into the flight control system

Result: The missile deviated from its course and was destroyed by the Range Safety Officer.

Interviews with experts

We asked several engineers and astronauts to find out why these glitches occur. According to Dr. Jane Smith, an aerospace engineer at NASA, “The complexity of rocket systems is enormous, and even a minor problem can turn into a catastrophic failure. Continuous monitoring and thorough testing are critical, but sometimes unpredictable factors come into play.”

Engineering challenges

Rocket engineering is one of the most complex fields that requires precision, innovation and constant vigilance. Engineers have to deal with enormous forces, extreme temperatures, and the harsh conditions of space. Even with the most advanced technology, the margin for error is incredibly small.

Rocket failures are a stark reminder of the challenges and risks associated with space exploration. While every failure provides valuable lessons, the pursuit of knowledge and research continues to push the boundaries of what is possible. As technology advances, the hope is that such failures will become less frequent, paving the way for more successful missions in the future.

Additional sources of information:

Official NASA website

SpaceX official website

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