RE: Proton Failure - radioactivity ?

["Franta, Jaroslav" <frantaj@aecl.ca>]

> Mercado, Don[SMTP:don.mercado@lmco.com] wrote on Thursday, October 28,
> 1999 3:21 PM
> 
> A Proton rocket failed in Kazakstan this morning. Part of the news report
> says:
> 
> "Itar-Tass reported today that a 19-member emergency rescue team was at
> the
> crash site to perform radiological and chemical tests. The team will also
> survey
> any damage or loss of life that resulted from the falling debris."
> 
> Does anyone know what may have been on board that would be radioactive?
> The rocket was boosting a commercial communications satellite and upper
> stage motor to geosynchronous transfer orbit. Are they using RTGs?
<><><><><><><><>
Comment:
According to Mark Wade, the owner of "Mark Wade's ENCYCLOPEDIA ASTRONAUTICA"
(at http://solar.rtd.utk.edu/~mwade/spaceflt.htm ), the answer is "no" --
see reply below:

> From: 	Mark Wade[SMTP:MarkWade@compuserve.com]
> Sent: 	Tuesday, November 02, 1999 12:55 AM
> To: 	Franta, Jaroslav
> Subject: 	FW: Proton Failure - radioactivity ?
> 
> The Express wouldn't have carried any strongly radioactive material (like
> radioisotope heaters or generators).
> 
> Best regards --
> 
> Mark Wade
> markwade@compuserve.com
> http://solar.rtd.utk.edu/~mwade/spaceflt.htm
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
> -
> 
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