Firefly Alpha upper stage strands payloads in wrong orbit
Posted: Sat, Dec 30, 2023, 9:48 AM ET (1448 GMT)
The upper stage of Firefly Aerospace's Alpha rocket malfunctioned during a launch Dec. 22, placing its payload into the wrong orbit. The Alpha lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at 12:32 pm EST (1732 GMT) carrying a Lockheed Martin technology demonstration satellite. The upper stage reached its expected transfer orbit, but a problem during a second burn of the upper stage meant that that the satellite was released into an elliptical orbit with a perigee of only about 215 kilometers. Firefly acknowledged the malfunction and said it would investigate it, but provided no other details. The company added that the satellite was working, although it was unclear if it could complete its mission before it reenters, likely in a matter of weeks.
The upper stage of Firefly Aerospace's Alpha rocket malfunctioned during a launch Dec. 22, placing its payload into the wrong orbit. The Alpha lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at 12:32 pm EST (1732 GMT) carrying a Lockheed Martin technology demonstration satellite. The upper stage reached its expected transfer orbit, but a problem during a second burn of the upper stage meant that that the satellite was released into an elliptical orbit with a perigee of only about 215 kilometers. Firefly acknowledged the malfunction and said it would investigate it, but provided no other details. The company added that the satellite was working, although it was unclear if it could complete its mission before it reenters, likely in a matter of weeks.| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Saturday, September 12
ISRO’s ‘privatisation’ move: What India’s space policy says
Indian Express — 2:50 am ET (0650 GMT) After €387 million raise, The Exploration Company wins ESA’s “ALADDIN” cargo capsule contract worth €760 million
EU-Startups — 2:48 am ET (0648 GMT) French ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet: Europe must 'maximise scientific return' from ISS before closure
EuroNews — 2:47 am ET (0647 GMT) Finland Urges Musk To Allow Starlink Use Against Russia
Aviation Week — 2:45 am ET (0645 GMT) Florida makes case to host new US Space Academy
WESH-TV Orlando — 2:43 am ET (0643 GMT) |
