Vega launch fails
Posted: Thu, Nov 19, 2020, 8:04 PM ET (0104 GMT)
A Vega launch Monday failed because cables in the rocket's upper stage were incorrectly installed. Arianespace announced Tuesday that analysis of telemetry from the rocket, along with data collected during its production, led them to conclude that cables to two thrust vector control actuators were inverted, causing commands intended for one actuator to go to the other. The stage tumbled out of control, causing the loss of the mission and the two European satellites on board. The company said this was the result of "a series of human errors" rather than a design flaw. Arianespace and the European Space agency will convene an independent commission to confirm the cause of the failure and make recommendations.
A Vega launch Monday failed because cables in the rocket's upper stage were incorrectly installed. Arianespace announced Tuesday that analysis of telemetry from the rocket, along with data collected during its production, led them to conclude that cables to two thrust vector control actuators were inverted, causing commands intended for one actuator to go to the other. The stage tumbled out of control, causing the loss of the mission and the two European satellites on board. The company said this was the result of "a series of human errors" rather than a design flaw. Arianespace and the European Space agency will convene an independent commission to confirm the cause of the failure and make recommendations.| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Friday, July 24
ESA Awards ispace-EUROPE Contract for Execution of MAGPIE, ESA’s First Lunar Rover
ispace — 6:46 am ET (1046 GMT) AFLCMC Partners with Space Systems Command to Award Next-Gen MAVRC GPS Receiver Agreements
US Space Force — 6:44 am ET (1044 GMT) NNSA Delivers Next-Generation Global Burst Detector for Space Force GPS Satellite
US Department of Energy — 6:42 am ET (1042 GMT) Google Discloses $94.1 Billion in SpaceX Stock, Marking 6% Stake
Wall Street Journal — 6:39 am ET (1039 GMT) SpaceX Is Turning Away Falcon Customers in Major Bet on Starship
Bloomberg News — 6:37 am ET (1037 GMT) |
