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Problem cancels moon rocket test firing in US
(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-08-28 05:27

PROMONTORY: A mechanical failure forced a NASA contractor on Thursday to call off the first test firing of the main part of NASA's powerful new moon rocket.

The test has not been rescheduled.

Alliant Techsystems Inc called off the rocket burn with just 20 seconds left on the countdown clock. Operators cited failure of a power unit that drives hydraulic tilt controls for the rocket's nozzle. The rocket was anchored to the ground in a horizontal position for the test.

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It was a setback for a carefully staged event that drew thousands of onlookers. Alliant hoped the routine test would prove the performance of a new program for space exploration that, like the test rocket, may not fly because of NASA budget problems.

There was no indication anything was wrong with the rocket itself, which packs 1 million pounds (0.45 million kilograms) of chemical propellant, enough to boost a 321-foot-long (98-meter-long) vehicle 190,000 feet (58,000 meters) into the atmosphere.

Alliant and NASA officials were scrambling to provide a full explanation for the cancellation.