THE ROCKET CARRYING NASA’S Earth-observation satellite appears to be in the Pacific Ocean after failing to launch correctly earlier today, according to NASA officials.

Speaking some 15 minutes after the rocket lifted off, George Diller of launch control said that although everything initially went well, the rocket separation stage went wrong.

The rocket was supposed to separate from the satellite after about three minutes, propelling the satellite into orbit around the Earth.

However, a ‘fairing’ or protective shell on top of the rocket did not separate as planned.

Diller said there was not enough speed for “the vehicle to achieve orbit” and NASA would now work to recover data from the vehicle for clues as to what went wrong.

A similar incident occurred two years ago when a satellite to study global warming failed to launch and crashed into the ocean near Antarctica.

NASA has already begun creating what it terms a Mishap Investigation Board to investigate Glory’s failure. The $424m mission was being managed by NASA’s centre in Maryland.

- Includes reporting by the AP