Soyuz rocket lightning strike: The Russian rocket was stuck ten seconds after launching (Image: Roscosmos/Dmitry Rogozin/Twitter)
Soyuz rocket lightning strike: Dramatic video shows the electrifying incident (Image: Getty)
The rocket continued its three and a half hour flight into a low-Earth orbit, where it proceeded to deliver its satellite cargo exactly on schedule.
Russia’s Ministry of Defence issued this statement after the shock incident: “A stable telemetric connection was established and maintained with the spacecraft.
“The on-board systems of the GLONASS-M spacecraft are functioning normally.”
Soyuz rocket instrumentation recorded data on the lightning strike, transmitting the information with its regular telemetry to the control centre at the cosmodrome on the ground.
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An unidentified Russian space industry source added: “During the liftoff, lightning struck the nose fairing and the third stage of the carrier rocket.
“The incident did not affect the operation of the carrier rocket’s systems, as Soyuz spacecraft are equipped with the protection mechanism against such phenomena.”
UCL physicist Professor Alan Smith explained that airborne rockets are often immune to the powerful electrical discharge.
He said: “While rather spectacular, being struck by lightning is not particularly threatening to a rocket launch.
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Soyuz rocket lightning strike: Airborne rockets are often immune to the electrical discharge (Image: Getty)
Soyuz rocket strike: The rocket was delivering its payload of navigation satellites in to orbit (Image: Getty)
“It is a known hazard, of course, and the outer shell of the rocket can cope with the electrical surge without affecting the interior.
“Aircraft are often struck by lightning with no serious effect.
“The metal rocket skin creates a Faraday Cage around its interior, protecting it from harm.
“Of course there is always a chance that some critical sensor on the outside might be affected, but this has been considered.”
Russian Soyuz rocket struck by LIGHTNING in shock footage - Express.co.uk
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