by the U.S. Department of Defense monitor to have succeeded in recovering "the [satellite's] encryption-decryption equipment". It later became clear that the most sensitive FAC-3R circuit boards were not recovered, but, "...were mounted near the hydrazine propellant tanks and most likely were destroyed in the explosion... Because the FAC-3R boards on Intelsat 708 were uniquely keyed, the National Security Agency (NSA) remains convinced that there is no risk to other satellite systems, now or in the future, resulting from having not recovering the FAC-3R boards from the PRC". See also Nedelin disaster: in 1960, the worst space launch catastrophe prior to Intelsat 708 occurred at the Baikonur test range in the former Soviet Union. Proton-M/DM-03 8K82 km/11S861-03: in 2013, a Proton launch vehicle went out of control moments after launch and flew horizontally for a few seconds before crashing some distance from the pad. References (Congressional report discussing Intelsat 708 launch failure and possible technology transfer) (Documents on Intelsat 708 and export controls, including State Department letter charging two companies with export law violations) (Article on the crash of a rocket carrying a commercial payload on 15 February 1996) (Chinese government report disputing conclusions of U.S. Congressional report) Video of launch, impact and view of destruction of town by resulting explosion. External links Long March Rocket Explodes - 長征火箭爆炸 长征火箭爆炸, Raw footage of the disaster https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZTFgZ9zl74&t=170s, Extra footage of disaster in detail Satellite launch failures Space program fatalities Spacecraft launched in 1996 Intelsat satellites 1996 in China Satellites using the SSL 1300 bus