{"page":"\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n\nVideo\n
\n

\nOTD In Space - May 8: Centaur Rocket Explodes During Maiden Flight\n

\n
\n
\nGet Free Access for 10 Days!\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
×
\n\n\n
\n\nPublisher:\n\nCurated Video\n\n\n
\n
\nOn May 8, 1962, NASA's new Centaur rocket exploded in mid-air during its first test flight. The Centaur was an upper stage specially designed to launch heavier payloads into orbit. For its first launch, it flew on an Atlas rocket...\nOn May 8, 1962, NASA's new Centaur rocket exploded in mid-air during its first test flight. The Centaur was an upper stage specially designed to launch heavier payloads into orbit. For its first launch, it flew on an Atlas rocket booster. The liftoff from Cape Canaveral went well at first. Then 54 seconds later, the Centaur suddenly exploded. Both the Centaur and the Atlas disintegrated at an altitude of nearly 30,000 feet (9,000 meters). An investigation determined that the insulation panels around the liquid hydrogen fuel tank couldn't withstand the pressure during the flight, so the tank ruptured. This was the first rocket launch to use liquid hydrogen in its propulsion system. NASA redesigned the Centaur and launched its first successful test flight the following year. Different versions of the Centaur have since been used to launch missions throughout the solar system, and they've even flown on space shuttles to help boost payloads out of low Earth orbit.\n
\n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

Resource Details

\n
\n
\n
\n
Curator Rating
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
Educator Rating
Not yet Rated
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
Media Length
\n
0:58
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
Grade
3rd - Higher Ed
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
Subjects
Science
8 more...
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
Media Type
Instructional Videos
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
Source:
\n
\nFuture Publishing - Space.com\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
Date
\n
2025
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n\n
Language
English
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
Audiences
For Teacher Use
2 more...
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
Usage Permissions
Fine Print: Educational Use
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

Additional Materials

\n
\n\nSign in or Join Now
\" data-title=\"Get Full Access\" data-container=\"body\" rel=\"popover\" tabindex=\"0\" href=\"/subscription/new\">Video Transcript\n
\n
\n\nSign in or Join Now
\" data-title=\"Get Full Access\" data-container=\"body\" rel=\"popover\" tabindex=\"0\" href=\"/subscription/new\">Video Preview\n
\n
\n
\n

Concepts

\n
\n
space, nasa, facts, flight
\n
\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

Additional Tags

\n
\n
news, tech, spaceflight, did you know, may 8, knowledge, space.com, otd in space, on this day in space, otdis, atlas rocket, videosyndication, centaur rocket, videoelephant, liquid hydrogen, test flight, launch, centaur
\n
\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

Classroom Considerations

\n
Best For: Explaining a topic
Video is ad-free
\n
\n
\n

Educator Ratings

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n\nShow resource details\n
\n
\n\" data-title=\"Get Full Access\" data-container=\"body\" rel=\"popover\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Play video: OTD In Space - May 8: Centaur Rocket Explodes During Maiden Flight\" href=\"/subscription/new\">\"OTD\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n\n\n"}