Boeing

Tonight at 9:17 p.m. EDT the Boeing Delta III lifted off Launch Complex 17-B. Failure of the rocket occurred approximately one minute and 20 seconds into flight when the launch team lost flight data signals from the rocket.

Loss of the launch vehicle occurred over the Atlantic Ocean. No personnel were injured. No estimate on the damage is available at this time, and an investigation is under way to determine the cause of the mishap.

It was the first flight of the Delta III. The launch vehicle was carrying a Galaxy X satellite built by Hughes Space & Communications for the PanAmSat Corporation.

EDITOR'S ADVISORY:

A telephone press conference addressing the loss of the Delta III will take place tomorrow, Thursday, Aug. 27, at 12:30 a.m. EDT (repeat a.m.). Fifty dial-in lines will be available for media only. United States calls: (800) 231-9012. International calls: (719) 457-2617. Access code for both lines is 528886. Please dial in 5 to 10 minutes prior to the start of the conference.