BBC

Thursday, 10 May, 2001, 07:16 GMT 08:16 UK

Russian space HQ hit by fire

A major fire has broken out at Russia's military space headquarters, say reports from Moscow.

Several floors of the building near Kurilovo, 100km (60 miles) outside Moscow, are ablaze, according to Interfax news agency.

The agency said it was feared that the centre could temporarily lose control of its satellites.

But Itar-Tass agency, quoting a Defence Ministry statement, insisted that the satellites were being controlled as normal.

Ten Defence Ministry fire crews were at the scene, said Interfax. There are no reports of injuries.

The headquarters is responsible for both military and commercial satellite launches.

-- Anonymous, May 10, 2001

Answers

Thursday May 10, 4:02 PM

Russian military loses contact with four satellites after fire

MOSCOW, May 10 (AFP) -

Russia has lost contact with four military satellites on Thursday after a serious fire broke out at a mission control centre belonging to its armed forces' space division, its chief Anatoly Perminov said.

"We have full control over all other military space structures," Perminov said in an interview with RTR television, adding that links with the four satellites could be restored at another control centre.

The blaze broke out after an apparent electrical short-circuit at 2.20 am (2220 GMT Wednesday) at the building near Kurilovo, some 100 kilometresmiles) southwest of Moscow.

Ten ministry of defence fire crews were dispatched to the scene but at midday the first and second floors of the three-storey building were still on fire.

No personnel were reported injured.

The division is responsible for the launch of both military and commercial satellites.

-- Anonymous, May 10, 2001