Virginia to re-look spaceport deal

File photo: An unmanned Antares rocket is seen exploding seconds after lift off from a commercial launch pad in this still image from video shot by Matthew Travis of Zero-G News from the press area at Wallops Island, Virginia.

File photo: An unmanned Antares rocket is seen exploding seconds after lift off from a commercial launch pad in this still image from video shot by Matthew Travis of Zero-G News from the press area at Wallops Island, Virginia.

Published Nov 24, 2014

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Richmond, Virginia - Virginia officials plan to re-examine a spaceport deal with Orbital Sciences following a rocket explosion that damaged a state-owned launch pad.

Secretary of Transportation Aubrey Layne Jr. tells the Richmond Times-Dispatch (http://bit.ly/1EZo73D) that Gov. Terry McAuliffe's administration may seek to renegotiate the deal.

McAuliffe also has asked Virginia's two senators to look for federal funds to help pay for repairs.

Orbital spokesman Barron Beneski tells the newspaper the company is in talks with the state and Nasa about repairs and the state's financial risk.

The state self-insures the launch pad through the Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority.

An unmanned commercial supply rocket exploded moments after liftoff on Oct. 28. Layne says the explosion caused up to $20-million in damage. - Sapa-AP

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