MOSCOW, July 9 (Itar-Tass) - A special group of experts will be set up at the Khrunichev State Space Research Center for inspecting the entire technological chain of manufacturing the Proton-M carrier rocket, which collapsed on the ground within a minute after liftoff from the Baikonur Space Center a week ago, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin told the Echo of Moscow radio.
He indicated, however, that the group will not include any specialists on the Khrunichev Center’s payroll.
“We’re setting up a technology inspecting group now that will include experts from other aerospace companies, the ones who are not linked to the causes of the accident in any way, not the Krunichev Center people,” Rogozin said. “They will inspect the whole technological chain at the enterprise where the /Proton M/ rocket was manufactured.”
He indicated that the misfortunate carrier rocket was built in November 2011 and was taken to Baikonur about a year ago.
The Proton-M that lifted off at 02:38 GMT July 2 exploded and came down to the ground within the first 60 seconds after liftoff. It was supposed to put into orbit three satellites of Russia’s national GLONASS global navigation system.
Earlier, the director of Russia’s Federal Space Agency /Roscosmos/, Vladimir Popovkin said a commission investigating the accident might name its causes already before the end of this month.