Russia fails in launching US satellite

MOSCOW - A Russian Zenit-3SL carrying rocket failed to send an US telecommunications satellite into space and fell down into the Pacific Ocean on Friday, local media reported.

The Zenit's pointing and attitude control system failed immediately after the lift-off from a sea launch pad at 10: 56 Moscow time (0656 GMT) and the RD-171 booster was automatically switched off, local media reported.

The first stage of the rocket malfunctioned, leading the rocket to an incorrect trajectory after takeoff, according to Interfax news agency.

The rocket fell into the Pacific waters not far away from the Odyssey sea launch pad.

Designed by the Energy Rocket-Space Corporation, the Zenit rocket was planned to send the Intelsat-27 satellite into space.

The satellite was built by the US Boeing corporation with a designed life span of 15 years.