* Astronomy

A Delta 2 rocket carrying a GPS2R satellite explodes just seconds after launch.
More than 250 tons of flaming debris and rocket fuel rain down from the sky.

GPS IIR-1 or GPS SVN-42 was the first Block IIR GPS satellite to be launched. It was to have been operated as part of the United States Air Force Global Positioning System. It was launched on 17 January 1997, however it was destroyed thirteen seconds into its flight due to a malfunction of the Delta II rocket that was carrying it.
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