Production defect, high loads main cause for Progress space freighter accident — source

MOSCOW, May 18. /TASS/. The state commission investigating the accident with Russia’s Soyuz-2.1a carrier rocket and the Progress space freighter considers several versions of the rocket’s fuel tank depressurization, including high flight loads and a production defect, a commission member said on Monday.

"It is not yet finally clear to us what specifically happened. Based on available telemetry, the physics of explosive processes and the experience of specialists involved in the commission’s work, several most probable causes for the accident were outlined," the source said.

"Two of them involve enhanced loads on the third stage and disruption in the technology of tanks’ production," he said.

"It has been clearly established that the third stage’s engines had nothing to do with the emergency situation with the Soyuz-2.1a rocket," the source said.