Has Anyone On The Ground Ever Been Injured From a Botched Rocket Launch?

I posted on Reddit about the North Carolina atom bombs a few months ago. One is still there, guarded by a circle of trees.

And this atom bomb in South Carolina DID blow up, but did not go nuclear:

Parts of it launched.

Body parts…

Too soon?

[side note]

I’ve done rocket disposals large enough to require clearing overhead airspace. Unfortunately, however, local wildlife rarely tunes into air traffic control. This left some of those fabled jackelopes exposed to the instantaneous fury of 87,500 lbsTNT Eq. cookin’ off all at once.

The remaining evidence is “interesting” to say the least.

[/side note]

Tripler
"Look Bob! More antlers and hooves over here . . . "

It was before my time, but I’ve heard the story from people who were there about a near-sea-level (outside) motor static fire where a few seconds before motor ignition (after the TVC gas generator was fired, and too late to abort the firing without having to reprocess the motor) a rabbit hopped into view of the high speed camera focused on the motor plume. The motor ignited, and there was one frame where you can maybe see a blur flying out of frame; no other evidence was found (as you might expect). As they say, “You don’t want to stand there…”

Stranger

They missed the target structure by nearly 100 meters. Time to decertify that bombardier; he’s got no clue how to aim. :wink:

I’d sooner expect antler flecks and hoof particles.

never mind.

That’s when I’d roll in. . . to clean up the pilots’ mess.

Tripler
Then force 'em to buy me a steak dinner, for my mess!