Department of the Air Force Report, 1996

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engine, thus preventing the engine from achieving full thrust.
Due to the
resulting thrust imbalance, the vehicle tumbled out of control. Destruct was sent
some 80 seconds after Centaur ignition.
506. 5051 AC-71 (Galaxy lR), 22 Aug 92, Response Mode 4T, Flight Phase 3: A Centaur
engine check valve stuck open allowing air into the turbopumps. Air entering
through the stuck-open check valve liquefied and froze in the LH2 pump and gear
box of the C-1 engine, which prevented the engine from achieving full thrust.
Destruct was sent by the RSO about 193 seconds after Centaur ignition. This is the
same failure experienced by AC-70 launched on 18 Apr 91.
507. 5054 AC-74 (UHF Follow On-1), 25 Mar 93, Response Mode NA, Flight Phase 2
and 5:
The flight was considered successful although below normal Atlas
performance resulted in a low spacecraft apogee (5000 nm vice planned 9225 nmk
The perigee altitude was near nominal at 120 run. A loose screw that allowed the
oxygen regulator to go out of adjustment caused booster-engine thrust to drop to
65% .of nominal at 103 seconds. The booster engines remained attached to the
sustainer, which flew to propellant depletion. These events led to depletion
shutdown of the Centaur stage 22 seconds early.
9/10/%
132
RTI