AC-67 Press Conference

On March 26, 1987, after the launch of an Atlas/Centaur rocket with a payload of a Navy Communications Satellite, a problem developed and the rocket was lost. This videotape is a press conference held to review the incident. Mr. John Gibb, the Atlas-Centaur Program Manager at Lewis Research Center, opens the press conference with a statement that reviews the situation, and what is known about the accident. He reviews the constraints to launch and explains that to the best of his knowledge there was no violation of these constraints. He further states that a review panel will investigate the circumstances and make recommendations. The press conference is then opened up to questions. Most of the questions concern the weather conditions and the existence of lightning in the area. The Air Force representative, Colonel John Albrook, is asked if the loss of the satellite would pose any problems. He answers that there were several satellites performing the role for which this satellite was slated, and that these were still healthy, and capable of continuing for a considerable length of time.