Investigation confirms cause of Vega failure
Posted: Thu, Dec 31, 2020, 1:32 PM ET (1832 GMT)
An independent investigation confirmed that improperly connected cables caused the failure of a Vega launch last month. The European Space Agency announced Dec. 18 that the investigation found two cables used in the thrust vector control system of the Vega's upper stage were inverted, causing the stage to tumble seconds after ignition on the Nov. 16 launch. The investigation found that "misleading" procedures contributed to the cables to be misconnected and that inspections failed to detect the problem. The investigation recommended both more detailed inspections of the next two Vega rockets, which have already been built, and changes in assembly and testing procedures for future Vega rockets. Arianespace estimates the Vega will be ready to return to flight by late March.
An independent investigation confirmed that improperly connected cables caused the failure of a Vega launch last month. The European Space Agency announced Dec. 18 that the investigation found two cables used in the thrust vector control system of the Vega's upper stage were inverted, causing the stage to tumble seconds after ignition on the Nov. 16 launch. The investigation found that "misleading" procedures contributed to the cables to be misconnected and that inspections failed to detect the problem. The investigation recommended both more detailed inspections of the next two Vega rockets, which have already been built, and changes in assembly and testing procedures for future Vega rockets. Arianespace estimates the Vega will be ready to return to flight by late March.
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