Dislodged fuel filter linked to Virgin Orbit launch failure
Posted: Sat, Feb 18, 2023, 9:33 AM ET (1433 GMT)
Virgin Orbit released more details Tuesday about the failure of its LauncherOne rocket last month. The company said a fuel filter in the rocket's second-stage engine dislodged, and a fuel pump downstream of the filter subsequently suffered a loss of efficiency that reduced the amount of fuel reaching the engine. That caused the engine to operate at a higher temperature it was rated for, and components in the vicinity of it later malfunctioned, leading to a premature shutdown of the engine. The company said the failure investigation is ongoing and did not set a date for a return to flight. The statement came a week after Virgin Orbit CEO Dan Hart revealed at a conference that the failure appeared to be linked to a dislodged filter.
Virgin Orbit released more details Tuesday about the failure of its LauncherOne rocket last month. The company said a fuel filter in the rocket's second-stage engine dislodged, and a fuel pump downstream of the filter subsequently suffered a loss of efficiency that reduced the amount of fuel reaching the engine. That caused the engine to operate at a higher temperature it was rated for, and components in the vicinity of it later malfunctioned, leading to a premature shutdown of the engine. The company said the failure investigation is ongoing and did not set a date for a return to flight. The statement came a week after Virgin Orbit CEO Dan Hart revealed at a conference that the failure appeared to be linked to a dislodged filter.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
SpaceX sets Nov. 18 launch date for sixth Starship test flight
Posted: Sat, Nov 9 9:57 AM ET (1457 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Tuesday, November 26
Firefly’s Lunar Lander Launch Window To Open In Mid-January
Aviation Week — 6:53 am ET (1153 GMT) Editorial: Coloradans, unite to keep Space Command in Colorado Springs
Denver Post — 6:52 am ET (1152 GMT) Bipartisan letter urges Trump to keep Space Force HQ in Colorado
KXRM-TV Colorado Springs — 6:52 am ET (1152 GMT) Colorado leaders applaud as Air Force says Schriever Space Base to serve as home of Space Delta 15
Colorado Public Radio — 6:51 am ET (1151 GMT) Rocket Lab Completes Dual Launches
Aviation Week — 6:50 am ET (1150 GMT) |
