Europes Vega-C small rocket was forced to self-destruct with two satellites on board 144 seconds after liftoff on Tuesday, according to Arianespace.
The European Space Agency and Arianespace, a French provider of commercial launch services, announced an independent inquiry commission into the failure.
The liftoff from Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana, the separation of the first stage, and ignition of the second stage were “nominal,” officials said, followed by a decrease in pressure.
The rocket was developed by the ESA and built by Italian company Avio, which said in a statement that analysis is underway to clarify the reasons for the failure.
