China’s Satellite Apparently Blew Up

The Los Angeles-based manufacturer of a telecommunications satellite says the Chinese-launched unit apparently exploded before reaching its final orbit.

In a news release that reached Beijing today, Hughes Space and Communications Co. said engineers studying a video of Monday’s launch of the Australian satellite saw a brief fireball “during the boost phase.” Hughes said experts have not yet determined what caused the breakup.

Nothing appeared to have gone wrong during the launch from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China. But several hours later, the satellite’s owner, Optus Communications of Sydney, reported that trackers were unable to locate the satellite.